006 Citation: Chikwe CM, Okereke CC, Ebirim CIC, Ibe SNO, Chukwu RO, et al. (2020) Study on Excreta Disposal Methods and the Occurrence of Faeco-oral Diseases in Owerri- North L.G.A, Imo State. Arch Community Med Public Health 6(1): 006-011. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-5479.000062 https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/acmph DOI: 2455-5479 ISSN: MEDICAL GROUP Abstract Introduction: Access to excreta disposal facility (sanitary toilet) is a necessary human right of everybody and the fundamental sign of sustainable development. Children and adults regularly suffer from diarrhea and typhoid fever which are diseases that are spread mostly through faeco-oral route. The general objective of this study was to determine the excreta disposal methods and the occurrence of faeco-oral diseases in Owerri-north L.G.A., Imo State. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was performed for this study. The sample size was calculated using Yamane formula as such the sample size was 400. Multi-stage sampling method was used in selecting communities that participated in the study. Data was collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21. Data collected was presented using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages; the hypotheses were tested using chi-square (x2) statistic at ≤0.05 level of significance. Result: The result revealed that of the 400 households sampled; 83.3% uses water closet/ pour-flush latrine, 11.0% uses pit latrine, 3.8% uses VIP latrine, 1.0% practices wrap and throw methods, 0.5% uses bucket latrine while 0.2% practices both digging in the compound and sand fill/ open defecation respectively. Frequently reported faeco-oral diseases include; Typhoid fever (34.0%), Diarrhea (20.3%) and Dysentery (4.8%). The study also revealed that there was a significant relationship between faeco-oral diseases suffered by members of the households and the type of the toilet system used by the household (X2=96.2702, P<0.002). Conclusion: Although most households in this study area use water closet/pour flush latrine, which is the most convenient and environmental friendly excreta disposal method yet majority of them suffer from faeco-oral diseases. Therefore, households should practice hygienic use of their various excreta disposal facilities in order to prevent occurrence of faeco-oral diseases. Research Article Study on Excreta Disposal Methods and the Occurrence of Faeco-oral Diseases in Owerri- North L.G.A, Imo State Chidinma Miriam Chikwe 1 , Chike C Okereke 1 , Chikere I C Ebirim 1 *, Sally N O Ibe 1 , Rita O Chukwu 1 and Emmanuel U Nwakwasi 2 1 Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria 2 Department of Biotechnology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria Received: 15 November, 2019 Accepted: 06 January, 2020 Published: 08 January, 2020 *Corresponding author: Chikere I.C. Ebirim, Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B 1526, Owerri, Nigeria, Tel: 08038870206; E-mail: Keywords: Excreta disposal methods; Faeco-oral disease/infection; Owerri-north L.G.A; Imo state https://www.peertechz.com Introduction The dangerous and most persistent challenge besetting most developing countries and their cities are the health impact of urban pollution that originate from poor fecal waste management [1]. A basic fact of life is that human beings, old and young, rich and poor, need to get rid of their faeces every day. Proper faecal disposal methods provide safe disposal of faeces to stop it from polluting the environment [2]. Some people resort to open defecation where human faeces are dumped in the environment, while others dispose the faeces with or without the use of water. Most rural areas in developing countries do not have piped water, and where it be present, the quantities may not be sufficient. This condition needs the use of non-water systems, commonly referred to as conservancy systems, instead of the more superior, hygienic water carriage system [3]. Conservancy systems are those types of sanitation which faeces are returned directly to earth or are for the time being stored pending removal. It is any system where water is not used to transport the excreta. Common conservancy systems