Abstract:
Accessing enough safe water and sanitation is a struggle for many in Ethiopia. But for those with
disability the challenges are compounded posing additional health risks. This study was done to assess the
accessibility to sanitation services and associated factors among persons with physical disability. Community
based cross sectional study was conducted in Gondar town among people with physical disability from January
to June 2017. Data was collected from 315 randomly selected study subjects by using a structured and
pre-tested questionnaire from the seven purposively selected sub-cities in the town. Epi info version 7 and
SPSS version 20 was used for data management. Both bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. With
the mean age (30.35±7.27 (SD)) of the total participants (315), the majority of them 194 (61.6%) were males.
Among the total participants, 92 (29.2%) and 82 (26%) had access to latrines and water respectively. Educational
status (AOR=3.3, 95% CI (1.1, 9.95), being member of disability association (AOR=2.08, 95% CI (1.1, 3.98),
government consideration on accessible design option (AOR=3.4, 95% CI (1.797, 6.44), government
consultation (AOR=1.947, 95% CI (1.023, 3.704) were factors associated with latrine accessibility. Form the six
key informant discussion, unavailability of family support, inaccessible design option, bathing difficulties and
distance of latrine from home were challenges mentioned by the participants. Accessible latrines and water
supply were found to be limited for people with physical disability in the studied area. Promoting disables for
education, accessible latrine design and appropriate scheme design water or wash basins were areas that require
interventions
