KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF SANITATION AMONG MARKET USERS AT THE DOME MARKET IN THE GA EAST MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

The campaign for improved sanitation is increasingly threatened as people’s existing knowledge

and attitudes seem not to promote proper sanitation practices. Environmental sanitation has

become a problem to the extent that it has engaged the attention of authorities as well as

concerned citizens. As a result, over the years Ghana failed to achieve her set sanitation target.

One area that has suffered from this problem is the market places. The study sought to find out

the knowledge level, attitudes and practices of market users toward sanitation since it could

significantly affect their health, economic, social and physical environment. Towards these ends,

the study explored knowledge with regard to educational level and age of market users about

sanitation, attitudes towards sanitation and practices that ensure proper sanitation.

A sample of 168 respondents was selected for the study. Two interview guides, proportional

probability and convenience sampling techniques and focus group discussion were the

instruments and the procedures employed to collect data from respondents. Methodology

adopted to address the objectives of the study was descriptive-analytical survey. The target

population was adults (18+) who sell and buy in the Dome Market. A proportional probability

was used to sample 133 sellers; convenience sampling technique was used to select 23 buyers

and focus group discussion used to gather data from 12 sellers.

The study concluded that most of the market users have inadequate education on good hygiene

and basic sanitation promoting practices. As a result they do not see the issue of improved

sanitation as a current priority; hence, they failed to change their lifestyle which could lead them

to practice proper sanitation. They also see sanitation as an issue to be addressed by authorities

hence failed to maintain proper sanitation. Recommendations made included the need for the Ga East Municipal Assembly and Management of Accra Markets to liaise with adult education institutions to inform market users about proper sanitation. Waste management and sanitation be put under the Ministry of Health so that a close eye would be kept on it by experts. There should be adequate provision of waste collection bins and timely evacuating of waste to deal with the threat of spill over at collection centres. The public should be involved in policy making decision about sanitation, and also a system should be put in place (courts) to deter people who try to sabotage the drive for improved sanitation.