International Journal of Communication Research 201 THE PRACTICE OF OPEN DEFECATION IN RURAL COMMUNITIES IN NIGERIA: A CALL FOR SOCIAL AND BEHAVIOUR CHANGE COMMUNICATION INTERVENTION 201 THE PRACTICE OF OPEN DEFECATION IN RURAL COMMUNITIES IN NIGERIA: A CALL FOR SOCIAL AND BEHAVIOUR CHANGE COMMUNICATION INTERVENTION Ukam Ivi NGWU 1 1 Department of Mass Communication Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria Corresponding author: Ukam Ivi Ngwu; e-mail: ukamngwu@gmail.com Abstract The prevalent practice of open defecation in third world countries is a thing of worry to both development and health communication scholars worldwide. This is an awful practice where people defecate in bushes, rivers and open spaces outside designated toilets. Worst still is the attitude of rural dwellers in Nigeria who in most cases defecate in rivers and lakes which serves as sources of drinking water in those communities without recourse to the environmental and health consequences of their actions. In most rural communities, this practise is deeply tied to their culture and tradition, hence making it a big challenge to overcome. The United Nations had in 2010 declared access to safe drinking-water and sanitation a human right but this is not yet in force in Nigeria. This paper adopted the Diffusion of Innovation theory which emphasises the adoption of modern practices as obtainable in developed societies. The paper highlights the roles Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) can play in addressing the behavioural and attitudinal challenges affecting the eradication of open defecation in Nigeria. It is recommended that governments at all levels, NGOs, and international agencies should provide modern facilities, enforcing laws, and policies that can help curb this practice among rural dwellers. Keywords: Open defecation, sanitation, cultural practices, SBCC, rural communities, Nigeria. 1. INTRODUCTION The practice of open defecation is a global developmental and health issue facing developing nations. This is an ancient practice where people excrete in bushes, rivers, lakes, streams and other open spaces outside the designated toilets. This can occur deliberately due to unwholesome cultural practices, superstitions, and personal unhygienic behaviours. It could also be as a result of unavailable or lack of access to modern toilet facilities (PM NEWS, 2017). According to a report by WHO (2016), about 2.4 billion people all over the world do not have access to basic sanitation facilities such as toilets or latrines. About 946 million of them still defecate openly in street gutters, behind bushes or into open bodies of water. This unsanitary practice has led to the upsurge in the transmission of communicable diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio. It also provides a fertile ground for several neglected tropical diseases like intestinal worms, schistosomiasis, and trachoma. This has also adversely contributed to increased cases of malnutrition in developing nations. In an attempt to address this prevailing global challenge, United Nations (UN) General Assembly on the 28 July 2010, through Resolution 64/292 declared clean and safe water, and sanitation a fundamental human right that are basically essential to the realisation and attainment of all human rights. As such, the Assembly called upon the various nation states and international organisations to provide the needed financial resources, help capacity- building and technology transfer as well as support to help developing countries improve and provide safe, clean, accessible and affordable drinking water and sanitation for all and sundry (UNITED NATIONS, 2014). Despite commendable improvements brought about as a result of the UN Resolution and Millennium Development Goal 2015 to address sanitation challenges, WHO (2016) observed a continuous existence of inequalities between and within countries and regions. At