Influence of Anti-Open Defecation Campaigns on the Residents of Owo Local Government Area, Ondo State

Abstract

This study looks at the influence of anti-open defecation campaigns on Owo residents. This study relies on persuasion communication theory as the theoretical framework. The survey method was used to gather quantitative data while the questionnaire was used as the instrument of data collection. A total number of four hundred respondents were carefully selected using multi-stage sampling and 400 questionnaire copies were administered and retrieved. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square at P=0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that the majority of the respondents are aware of anti-open defecation campaigns and this is reflected in their knowledge of the variants of the campaign on radio and outdoor materials. Also, it is found that respondents’ attitudes to and practices of open-defecation have been influenced significantly. This is reflected in their involvement in keeping their environment clean to live healthy, keeping a better society, and involving in safe sanitation. This was further confirmed by the Chi-square analyses as a significant relationship between exposure to anti-open defecation campaigns and respondents’ attitude and practice of open defecation was established at p>0.05. It was, therefore, recommended that the government should continue to partner with concerned agencies to campaign against open defecation so as to reduce the practice of open defecation effectively in Ondo State, Nigeria.