Environment and Natural Resources Research; Vol. 10, No. 3; 2020 ISSN 1927-0488 E-ISSN 1927-0496 Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education 55 Classification of Sanitation Services and Students’ Sanitation Practices among Schools in Lagos, Nigeria Ojima Zechariah Wada 1 , Elizabeth O. Oloruntoba 1 , Mumuni Adejumo 1 and Olufemi O. Aluko 2 1 Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria 2 Department of Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Nigeria Correspondence: Elizabeth O. Oloruntoba, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail: li_zzyy@yahoo.com Received: April 12, 2020 Accepted: July 6, 2020 Online Published: September 30, 2020 doi:10.5539/enrr.v10n3p55 URL: https://doi.org/10.5539/enrr.v10n3p55 Abstract The paucity of information on the number of accessible sanitation facilities in secondary schools in developing countries has hindered efforts in attaining sustainable development in this area. Therefore, this study was designed to bridge that gap. The cross-sectional study utilized a 4-stage sampling technique to select 386 students from schools in Badagry, Lagos. Pre-tested questionnaire and observational checklists were used to obtain data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression at 5% level of significance. Respondents’ mean age was 15.8±1.5 years and 55.2% were female. On-site observation revealed that all the schools had improved sanitation facilities, while 37% of the available toilet compartments were inaccessible to the students. Majority (85%) of the facilities provided limited service, while 15% provided basic service. The student to toilet ratio for the public school girls and boys were 3191:1 and 642:1 respectively, while the private school had a ratio of 257:1 and 289:1 for girls and boys respectively. Some of the sanitation practices observed in the schools were open defecation (35.4%), toilet avoidance (21%), and prolonged urine and feacal retention (57.4%). Students from the public school were about 3 times more likely to practice open defecation (OR=2.87; CI=1.160-7.095). Also, male students were more likely to practice open defecation (OR=1.72; CI=1.125-2.615). All the schools did not meet the school sanitation standard of 1 toilet to 30 boys/girls set by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Sustainable sanitation-interventions and maintenance schemes are required to safeguard the health of the students and the community at large. Keywords: Badagry, JMP School Sanitation, Lagos, Open Defecation, Sanitation Practices, Sanitation Services, School Sanitation, Student to Toilet Ratio 1. Introduction The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are global road maps which aim to effectively tackle the challenges faced by the world as a whole, in order to attain a more sustainable future for all. The SDGs 6 and 4 focused on the provision of basic sanitation services in schools However, targets 6.2 emphasized the need to achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations by the year 2030. Also, target 4a affirmed the necessity to build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, nonviolent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all by the year 2030 (World Health Organization/United Nations International Children’s Education Fund [WHO/UNICEF], 2018). Accessibility of students to basic sanitation services at school is prerequisite for safe sanitation practice. It also plays an integral role in safeguarding the health of the public by ensuring these institutions do not become hotspots for breeding disease vectors (Adams, Jamie, Yves & Jackie, 2009). The absence of basic sanitation services in schools has been reported to result into absenteeism, distraction and decreased enrolment, toilet avoidance and reduced school participation and performance of students (Sommer, 2010; Birdthistle, Dickson, Freeman & Javidi, 2011; Montgomery, Ryus, Dolan, Dopson & Scott, 2012; WHO, 2016). The female students are disproportionately affected as they require these facilities for safe menstrual hygiene management (MHM), thereby impeding their ability to reap the benefits of educational attainment (Gakidou, Cowling, Lozano & Murray, 2010; Morrissey, Hutchison & Winsler, 2014).