Achieving and sustaining open defecation free (ODF) villages: a study of four rural districts in Zimbabwe

Community led total sanitation was adopted and implemented in 33 rural districts of Zimbabwe with the majority of communities failing to achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) within the lifespan of the project. Africare initiated a study to determine the determinants of attaining ODF in four rural districts where it implemented the project. Findings will be used by government and developmental partners to achieve improved and sustained outcomes in future. Green and Kreuter`s PRECEDE MODEL was the theoretical framework used to guide the study. Expecting subsidies from the project, having and enforcing community constitutions, existence of income savings and landings (ISALs), having active sanitation action groups and community health clubs were found to be statistically significant factors associated with attainment of ODF status.