The social dynamics around shared sanitation in an informal settlement of Lusaka, Zambia

This research conducted by Chipungu et al. (2019) uncovers social dynamics trends affecting collective management of shared sanitation in the Bauleni compound of Lusaka, Zambia. The work was published in The Journal of Water, Sanitation & Hygiene for Development. Interviews with landlords and tenants revealed interesting dynamics around the pit latrines, which were mostly shared between landlords and tenants on residential plots. Unwelcome non-plot members sometimes used the latrines, there were disparities in plot members sticking to the cleaning regime and landlords typically decided on latrine improvements independent of tenants, despite tenants often being willing to invest money in improving sanitation. The study also uncovered poor systems for monitoring of the latrines and conflict resolution and a lack of local organisations managing the sanitation. The findings in the study will pave the way forward for developing behavioural interventions for the improvement of urban sanitation.