Toilet Functionality and Cleanliness Status of Major Motor Parks in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Lack of access to functional and clean toilets in motor parks in Africa is a public health concern that contributing to the spread of infectious diseases. This study is to investigate the toilet functionality and cleanliness status of selected motor parks in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria. The use of motor parks and the importance they play in the sustenance of an urban area cannot be over emphasized as the movement of commuters within and between urban areas is a constant activity. The research work was carried between January to August 2023 and the data for the study were collected from both the park operators and transit users of one (1) motor park each in five (5) Local Government Areas of Ibadan Metropolis. The questionnaires were administered on, park operators and users of public conveniences in the study area. The simple random sampling technique was used to select public toilet operators and users in the study area. The results show that a low percentage (39.33% of the users of motor parks had their houses very far from the motor park areas and this neccesitated the use of motor park toilet facility compared to 60.67% of the respondents that had their houses very close to the motor park. It was also revealed that 90% of the respondents had knowledge of water borne diseases, experiences relating to toilet and poor environmental sanitary conditions and poor toilet facilities. 84% of the respondents had concerns about poor environmental sanitation in motor park toilet facility. 87% of the respondents had perception of poor quality of services provided. 92% of the respondents were aware about the factors influencing user’s choice of toilet in motor park. Therefore, majority of the respondents were not satisfied with the facilities, while it was discovered that the majority of the motor parks were in a state of disrepair thereby needing maintenance. In a nut shell, since Chi-Square calculated is far greater than Chi-Square table, (i.e. 1926>9.488) we need to reject null hypothesis (HO) and accept alternative hypothesis. Thus, there is relationship between poor sanitation facilities, environmental conditions and open defecation (OD) of motor park toilet with water borne, air-borne diseases in motor in Ibadan metropolis. The paper concludes that there is a need to renovate the motor parks and provide good facilities for the users. It also stated that there is a need for a maintenance schedule for each of the motor parks with emphasis on cleaning. In conclusion, there should be serious enlightenment to the public on the impending dangers of lack of safety and hygienic sanitary toilet facilities and effective management of public sanitary facilities in all motor parks’ toilets in Ibadan with specific reference to Iwo road motor park.