Poor sanitation practice is a public health issues, most especially in developing countries where basic environmental sanitation laws are not strictly adhered to by the majority of the population. According to World Health Organisation [12] approximately 2 billion people still do not have basic sanitation facilities such as toilets or latrines. Of these, 673 million still defecate in the open, for example in street gutters, behind bushes or into open bodies of water. At least 10% of the world’s population is thought to consume food irrigated by wastewater. WHO also stated that, Inadequate sanitation is estimated to cause 432 000 diarrhoeal deaths annually and is a major factor in several neglected tropical diseases, including intestinal worms, schistosomiasis, and trachoma. Poor sanitation also contributes to malnutrition.

        Some 827 000 people in low- and middle-income countries die as a result of inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene each year, representing 60% of total diarrhoeal deaths. Poor sanitation is believed to be the main cause in some 432 000 of these deaths [12]. Poor sanitation is linked to transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio and exacerbates stunting. Poor sanitation reduces human well-being, social and economic development due to impacts such as anxiety, risk of sexual assault, and lost educational opportunities. In 2010, the UN General Assembly recognized access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right, and called for international efforts to help countries to provide safe, clean, accessible and affordable drinking water and sanitation [12]. Open defecation perpetuates a vicious cycle of disease and poverty. The countries where open defection is most widespread have the highest number of deaths of children aged under 5 years as well as the highest levels of malnutrition and poverty, and big disparities of wealth [11]. Similarly, Ezzati et al., [2] poor quality waters, poor environmental sanitation (excreta management, drainage) and poor sanitation contribute much to deteriorating population health.

        Sanitation has to do with treatment and disposal of human excrete, urine and sewage. This implies that sanitation has to do with how an individual or individuals dispose their waste. According to Ikhioya [5] sanitation refers to a process whereby people demand, effect, and sustains a hygienic and healthy environment for them by erecting barriers to prevent the transmission of agents of diseases. Such an approach is needed not only to prevent disease and promote health but also to lay the foundation for sustainable development. Sanitation and good hygiene practices are fundamental to health, survival, growth and development. On the other practice is the actual application or use of an idea or method. Thus, sanitation practices are the actual treatment and disposal of human excrete, urine and other waste products in the environment. Kabir, Roy, Begum, Kabir & Miah [6] found out that the sanitation and hygiene practices of the students were remarkably low in Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh. Similarly, Rani  found out that there is prevalence of unhygienic sanitation practices among women living in hostels at Panjab University, Chandigarh. Hossain, Islam, Fahad, Das & Rahaman, [3] found out that, sanitation practice of students living in hostel differs significantly regarding variables sex, residence, family, and socio-economic status of the students. Igudia, Agbonifoh and Omobude-Idiado[4] Sanitation practices among undergraduate students in the University of Benin are low, age and gender influence sanitation practices.

        The importance of personal and environmental sanitation, as postulated by Sanni [10] are to reduce the occurrence of diseases and number of death tolls associated with poor hygiene; to improve upon poor sanitation, inadequate toilets, lack of understanding about the importance of toilet and sanitation, current poverty level, and low level investment by all tier of governments and local communities; to make government and the governed understand the concept of environmental sanitation and sustainability which is more of a journey rather than a stage to reach; to bring a reversal to options of either you buy water or drink polluted one this can be done by having more toilets so that drinking water can be separated from waste water; and to make sure that there is sufficient and regular supply of safe water to all houses, offices and student hostels without any stress to guarantee well- being of students and staff. According to Mensah-Kufuor and Gablah [7] Sanitation and hygiene are among the powerful drives of human development as they affect quality of life at many levels including improved health and economic status.

        According to WHO [12] the benefits of improved sanitation extend well beyond reducing the risk of diarrhoea. These include: reducing the spread of intestinal worms, schistosomiasis and trachoma, which are neglected tropical diseases that cause suffering for millions; reducing the severity and impact of malnutrition; promoting dignity and boosting safety, particularly among women and girls; promoting school attendance: girls’ school attendance is particularly boosted by the provision of separate sanitary facilities; and potential recovery of water, renewable energy and nutrients from faecal waste. A WHO study in 2012 calculated that for every US$ 1.00 invested in sanitation, there was a return of US$ 5.50 in lower health costs, more productivity, and fewer premature deaths.

        It is essential for hostels to maintain a high standard of sanitation because these places are a popular and affordable choice of housing for many students. However, hostels in a typical Nigerian public university is usually unpleasant and unhygienic. An observation of the state of the art showed that the surrounding of most hostels emits unpleasant odour which is not conducive for the health of the students and that of the staff working in the hostels. This unhygienic environment can affect the health status of the students who needs good health to study harder and perform better academic so as to acquire the skills and competence needed to contributes meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the nation. 

        For proper hostel sanitation, facilities such as toilets, running water, water tank, drainage system, refuse management system, among others must be available. in an empirical study, Anamali, Amadi, Okereke, Azuamah & Amadi [1] found out that the hostel sanitation facilities available in Federal University of Technology Owerri, students’ hostels are refuse waste bin, toilet, water, hand washing and drainage system among others. 

Some challenges affecting hostel sanitation practices among undergraduates for improved health status in hostels are Inadequate toilets in the hostel, Poor drainage system in the hostel, Absenteeism of hostel cleaners, Inadequate water supply in the hostel among others. Ikhioya [5] found out that, cleaners have issues in acquiring their materials for executing their duties. Majority of the respondents who at one time had complaints with the conditions of the hostel experienced delayed responses; students also reported that at one point in time they had suffered some health issues which includes malaria, typhoid, dysentery, although no case of food poisoning was recorded. Similarly, Mensah-Kufuor and Gablah [7] found out that absenteeism of labourers (gardeners and cleaners), lack of water, working and cleaning materials and refuse disposal were the factors which contribute to sanitation problems in university hostels. Anamali, Amadi, Okereke, Azuamah & Amadi [1] argued that, sanitation is one of the greatest problems facing developing countries due to inadequate facilities, poor funding, and poor implementation of policies as well as wrong lifestyle. Prah [9] conducted a study at University of Cape Coast, Ghana, and found out that most halls were overcrowded with insufficient toilets and wash rooms for students, accommodation and sanitation facilities in the halls were found to be inadequate despite some expansions in toilets and wash rooms. Availability of soaps and anal cleaning materials was found to be inadequate. Igudia, Agbonifoh and Omobude-Idiado [4] found out that, inadequate water supply, poor toilet facilities, insufficient toilet, bathroom and waste disposal facilities and poor drainage system are the major causes of poor sanitation in the hostel environment.

        Some strategies to enhance hostel sanitation practices among undergraduates for improved health status in hostels are Provision of adequate toilets in the hostel, proper drainage system in the hostel, adequate water supply in the hostel, Provision of power supply among others. Mensah-Kufuor and Gablah [7] suggested that, University should look at any sanitation situation as a challenge to prevent health related problems; water reservoirs should be made available and positioned at all vantage points for the cleaning staff to clean the environs on a daily basis. Again, cleaning of the environs should be a total responsibility of all stakeholders of the university hostels and not only the cleaners and all should endeavour to practice all forms of hygiene to achieve a healthy sanitation status. Similarly, Kabir, Roy, Begum, Kabir & Miah [6] suggested that, regular supply of WASH-related materials and agents, promoting low-cost WASH interventions, improving quality cleaning services, close monitoring of cleaning activities, promoting good hygiene behavior at the individual level, and introducing gender-sensitive WASH infrastructure and construction may be beneficial to advance improved sanitation and hygiene practices among university students. Prah [9] suggested that, regular sanitation awareness campaigns and educational sessions should be organized by the environmental health section of the University Health Services to address health issues associated with poor sanitation

        From the forgoing, it is imperative to examine the hostel sanitation practices for improved health status among undergraduate students in universities in Enugu State, where no similar study has e conducted to the best knowledge of the researcher. 

Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of the study is to examine the hostel sanitation practices for improved health status among undergraduate students in universities in Enugu State. the specific purposes of the study are to:

• Identify the sanitation facilities available in university hostels in universities in Enugu State

• Examine the hostel sanitation practices among undergraduates in university hostels in Enugu State.

• Ascertain the extent to which hostel sanitation practices of undergraduates contributes to improved health status in University hostels in Enugu State.

• Identify the factors affecting hostel sanitation practices among undergraduates for improved health status in university hostels in Enugu State.

• Proffer strategies to enhance hostel sanitation practices among undergraduates for improved health status in university hostels in Enugu State.

Research Questions

The following research questions were formulated to guide the study

• What are the sanitation facilities available in university hostels in universities in Enugu State?

• What are the hostel sanitation practices among undergraduates in university hostels in Enugu State?

• What is the extent to which hostel sanitation practices of undergraduates contributes to improved health status in University hostels in Enugu State?

• What are the factors affecting hostel sanitation practices among undergraduates for improved health status in university hostels in Enugu State?

• What are the strategies to enhance hostel sanitation practices among undergraduates for improved health status in university hostels in Enugu State?

Research Method

The study adopted cross sectional survey research design. According to Nworgu (2015) viewed the design as a simultaneous study of different categories of objects in a setting. Also, cross-sectional survey design is exploratory in nature allowing easy description of phenomena at one point as they exist in their natural settings (Mole, 2019). Thus, cross-sectional survey design was therefore considered appropriate for the study because the study seeks to collect data from different categories of undergraduates on their hostel sanitation practices for improved health status in university hostels in Enugu State. The population of the study comprised of the entire undergraduates staying in the university hostels of the two government owned universities in Enugu State. 1000 undergraduates were sampled using convenience sampling technique from the two government owned universities in Enugu State. Structured questionnaire titled: Hostel Sanitation Practices for Improved Health Status among Undergraduate Students in Universities Hostel Questionnaire (HSPIHSUSUHQ). To ascertain the reliability of the instrument (HSPIHSUSUHQ) the researcher administered 100 copies of the instrument to 100 undergraduates staying in the university hostels in Anambra State. The reason for using Anambra State for the trial testing is because it is outside the area of the study but shares similar features with the area of the study. The collected data from trial testing was analyzed using Cronbach Alpha. It yielded reliability indices of 0.76, 0.82, 0.86, 0.85 and 0.87 for clusters 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. The overall reliability coefficient of the entire items was found to be 0.83, which was considered high enough for the study. The data collected was organized and presented in a frequency distribution table, and the mean score, standard deviation as well as percentage was used to analyze the data. Real limit of numbers was used for taking decision on the mean. This implies that a respondents’ mean score of 2.49 and below in an item, indicates disagreement/rejection of the view of an item, while a mean score of ‘2.50’ and above implied acceptance of the said item

Out of the 1,000 copies of the questionnaire distributed to undergraduate students in the two government owned universities in Enugu State, only 949 copies of the questionnaire were returned, dully completed and used for data analysis. Thus, the response rate was 94.9 % which is considered high for the study.

        The result showed that out of 949 undergraduates that responded to the survey, 321 representing 33.8% were male, while 628 representing 66.2% were female (Table 1).

Table 1: gender distribution of respondents

        The result showed that, 483 (50.9%) of the respondents were students of University of Nigeria Nsukka, while 466(49.1%) were students of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (Table 2).

        Table 3  showed that running tap water, Dustbin for refuse, Soap, Water tank, Functional water system toilets, Teeth brushing sink, Disinfectants, antiseptics and Deodorants, Room mopping materials, and Anal cleaning materials (toilet tissues, etc) with 3.23, 3.18, 3.15, 2.97, 2.95, 2.79, 2.77, 2.75, and 2.71 mean score respectively are fairly available in the students’ hostel.  While Hand washing sink or basin, Hand sanitizer, and Laundry room, with 2.38, 2.30 and 1.93 mean score respectively are less available in the hostels studied.

Table 2: distribution of respondents based on institution

Table 3: mean responses on the sanitation facilities available in university hostels in universities in enugu state

AA: Adequately Available; FA: Fairly Available; LA: Less Available; NA: Not Available

        Table 4 shows the hostel sanitation practices among undergraduates in university hostels in Enugu State. from the  results  majority  of  the  respondents  strongly agreed   that, their roommates or hostel mates urinate in the room even if someone is cooking or eating food, with 3.70  mean score. Also, many strongly agreed that they throw sanitary pad into the rubbish dump, with 3.70 mean score. 

Majority of the students also strongly agreed that Some of their roommates or hostel mates store their urine in the bucket for some hours before throwing it away, with 3.54 mean score. A good number of the students also strongly agreed that, their roommates or hostel mates brush their teeth from upstairs littering the wall. Some other practices of undergraduates living in university hostels as agreed by the respondents are that, their roommates or hostel mates throw their urine in the Teeth brushing sink, having 3.42 mean score. Some claimed to have seen their hostel mates throwing their excrete in a leader through the window or throw their urine in the drainage. Only few         case of diabetes and heart disease; prevent diseases and illness among students; helps to make the environment conducive for living; reduces the outbreak of food poisoning in the hostel; improves self-image and self-confidence of students; and helps to improve quality of life among students to a very high extent having 3.65, 3.61, 3.61, 3.55, 3.53, 3.53, and 3.53 mean score respectively.

Table 4: mean responses on the hostel sanitation practices among undergraduates in university hostels in enugu state

SA: Strongly Agree; A: Agree; D: Disagree; SD: Strongly Disagree

Table 5:      Mean Responses on the Extent to Which Hostel Sanitation Practices of Undergraduates Contributes to Improved Health Status in University Hostels in Enugu State

VHE-Very High Extent; HE-high extent; LE-Low Extent; VLE; Very Low Extent

        Table 6 shows that the major factors affecting hostel sanitation practices among undergraduates for improved health status in university hostels in Enugu State are Erratic power supply, Inadequate water supply in the hostel, Absenteeism of hostel cleaners, Lack of pest control programmes, Poor drainage system in the hostel, Inadequate supervision of hostel rooms by the hostel portals, Inadequate refuse management system, Lack of strict enforcement of hostel sanitation rules and regulation, and Inadequate toilets in the hostel with 3.54, 3.44, 3.40, 3.40, 3.32, 3.30, 3.25, 3.19 and 3.17 mean score respectively.

Table 6:      Mean responses on the factors affecting hostel sanitation practices among undergraduates for improved health status in university hostels in enugu state

SA: Strongly Agree; A: Agree; D: Disagree; SD: Strongly Disagree

Table 7:      Mean responses on the strategies to enhance hostel sanitation practices among undergraduates for improved health status in university hostels in enugu state

SA: Strongly Agree; A: Agree; D: Disagree; SD: Strongly Disagree

        Results from table 7 above shows that the major strategies to enhance hostel sanitation practices among undergraduates for improved health status in university hostels in Enugu State are Provision of power supply, Provision of adequate refuse management system, Provision of pest control programmes, Hostel cleaners should be regular in attendance, Hostel cleaners should be regular in attendance, Proactive supervision of hostel rooms by the hostel portals, Strict enforcement of hostel sanitation rules and regulation by the hostel portal, Provision of adequate water supply in the hostel, Provision of adequate toilets in the hostel, and Provision of proper drainage system in the hostel, with 3.76, 3.74, 3.54, 3.45, 3.29, 3.27, 3.13, 3.06 and 2.99 mean score respectively.

Discussion of the Findings

The findings revealed that running tap water, Dustbin for refuse, Soap, Water tank, Functional water system toilets, Teeth brushing sink, Disinfectants, antiseptics and Deodorants, Room mopping materials, and Anal cleaning materials (toilet tissues, etc) are fairly available in the students’ hostel.  While Hand washing sink or basin, Hand sanitizer, and Laundry room less available in the hostels studied. This implies that sanitation facilities are not adequate in the university hostels studied. This finding corresponds with the earlier result of Anamali, Amadi, Okereke, Azuamah & Amadi (2019) who found out that the hostel sanitation facilities available in Federal University of Technology Owerri, students’ hostels are refuse waste bin, toilet, water, hand washing and drainage system among others. 

        The findings revealed that, the hostel sanitation practices among undergraduate students is very poor as the students practices unhealthy and unhygienic sanitation attitudes. For instance, majority of the respondents strongly agreed that, their roommates or hostel mates urinate in the room even if someone is cooking or eating food, throw sanitary pad into the rubbish dump, Some of their roommates or hostel mates store their urine in the bucket for some hours before throwing it away, A good number of the students also strongly agreed that, their roommates or hostel mates brush their teeth from upstairs littering the wall. Some other practices of undergraduates living in university hostels as agreed by the respondents are that, their roommates or hostel mates throw their urine in the Teeth brushing sink. Only few of the students agreed that they urinate and defecate in the toilet and rush it immediately with water. However, the students disagreed that them or their roommates mops their room daily as everyone mop his/her own corner. This implies that the hostel sanitation practices of undergraduates are poor and unhealthy. This findings is in accordance with that of Kabir, Roy, Begum, Kabir & Miah (2021) who found out that the sanitation and hygiene practices of the students were remarkably low and poor in Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh. The findings also correspond with that of Rani (2017) who earlier study found out that there is prevalence of unhygienic sanitation practices among women living in hostels at Panjab University, Chandigarh. 

        The findings revealed that, hostel sanitation practices of undergraduates contribute greatly to improved health status in university hostels in Enugu State. majority of the students strongly agreed and understand the fact that, proper hostel sanitation practices can help to reduce the case of diabetes and heart disease; prevent diseases and illness among students; helps to make the environment conducive for living; reduces the outbreak of food poisoning in the hostel; improves self-image and self-confidence of students; and helps to improve quality of life. The findings further validate the assertion of Sanni (2015) that proper sanitation practices has the ability to reduce the occurrence of diseases and number of death tolls associated with poor hygiene. Also, with that of According to Mensah-Kufuor and Gablah (2017) who stated that, sanitation and hygiene are among the powerful drives of human development as they affect quality of life at many levels including improved health and economic status. 

        The findings reveled that, major factors affecting hostel sanitation practices among undergraduates for improved health status in university hostels in Enugu State are Erratic power supply, Inadequate water supply in the hostel, Absenteeism of hostel cleaners, Lack of pest control programmes, Poor drainage system in the hostel, Inadequate supervision of hostel rooms by the hostel portals, Inadequate refuse management system, Lack of strict enforcement of hostel sanitation rules and regulation, and Inadequate toilets in the hostel. The finding is in accordance with that of Ikhioya (2018) who found out that, cleaners have issues in acquiring their materials for executing their duties. Majority of the respondents who at one time had complaints with the conditions of the hostel experienced delayed responses. The findings also further validate that of Mensah-Kufuor and Gablah (2017) who found out that absenteeism of labourers (gardeners and cleaners), lack of water, working and cleaning materials and refuse disposal were the factors which contribute to sanitation problems in university hostels

        The findings reveled that, major strategies to enhance hostel sanitation practices among undergraduates for improved health status in university hostels in Enugu State are provision of power supply, provision of adequate refuse management system, provision of pest control programmes, hostel cleaners should be regular in attendance, hostel cleaners should be regular in attendance, proactive supervision of hostel rooms by the hostel portals, strict enforcement of hostel sanitation rules and regulation by the hostel portal, provision of adequate water supply in the hostel, provision of adequate toilets in the hostel, and provision of proper drainage system in the hostel. This finding corresponds with the recommendations of Mensah-Kufuor and Gablah (2017) that, University should look at any sanitation situation as a challenge to prevent health related problems; water reservoirs should be made available and positioned at all vantage points for the cleaning staff to clean the environs on a daily basis. Again, cleaning of the environs should be a total responsibility of all stakeholders of the university hostels and not only the cleaners and all should endeavour to practice all forms of hygiene to achieve a healthy sanitation status.

The study examined the hostel sanitation practices for improved health status among undergraduate students in universities in Enugu State. Based on the findings, the study concluded that though there are sanitation facilities in the university hostels studied, these facilities are not adequate. It was also concluded that the hostel sanitation practices of undergraduates in university hostels studied is poor and unhygienic. These unhygienic sanitation practices have health implications for the students if not managed.  The study also concluded that undergraduates are aware of the importance of practicing proper hostel sanitation and the implication it has on their health status. Thus, the issues of poor hostel sanitation practices are not lack of awareness of the consequences of poor sanitation practices. The study also concluded that, major factors affecting hostel sanitation practices among undergraduates for improved health status in university hostels in Enugu State are erratic power supply, inadequate water supply in the hostel, absenteeism of hostel cleaners, lack of pest control programmes, poor drainage system in the hostel, inadequate supervision of hostel rooms by the hostel portals, and inadequate toilets in the hostel

Recommendations 

Based on the findings and the conclusion reached, the following recommendations were suggested:

• The university management should declare a state of emergence on the university hostels as much of the hostels visited in the course of the study is dilapidated. Immediate renovation should be done on most of the university hostels in the two university hostels studied. 

• The university hostel portals and officials should be more vigilant and proactive in monitoring the sanitation practices of students.

• From time to time, hostel officers or portals should visit individual hostel rooms to observe the condition of things in the room.

• Proper drainage system should be constructed in the university hostels so as to reduce the foul smell that is prevalence in the hostels visited

• Refuse management system should also be constructed in the university hostels studied.

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