3.6.1 Analysing the findings
Using more than one method for the assessment will produce more complete information but it will also generate a lot of data that needs to be summarised. The standard method is to gather the information together and incorporate it into a set of tables. This should be done as soon as possible after the end of the survey. Table 3.3 shows an example of a blank table that would be completed for each kebele in a survey area.
| Kebele name: | ||
| Number | % | |
| Demographic information | ||
| Total population | ||
| Male population and percentage of total population | ||
| Female population and percentage of total population | ||
| Total number of households | ||
Sanitation information Number of households and the percentage of total households: | ||
| that understand the benefits of having a latrine | ||
| that practise open defecation | ||
| with a traditional latrine type | ||
| with an improved latrine type | ||
| with a latrine pit hole cover | ||
| with handwashing facilities | ||
| where residents wash their hands after using the latrine | ||
Solid waste information Number of households and the percentage of total households: | ||
| with a covered waste container | ||
| that sort waste at household level (separate organic and inorganic) | ||
| that recycle/reuse waste at household level | ||
| with a waste pit in their yard | ||
| that use a municipal refuse container | ||
| that dispose of waste in open areas | ||
The data can then be analysed and interpreted, and used to make decisions and recommendations for improvement. For example, suppose the analysis of a survey andobservational results in a kebele showed that latrine use is lower than it should be; the questionnaire survey indicated that many of the local people were unaware of the benefits of good sanitation; observations showed that many of the latrines were of poor construction and, after discussions with community leaders, the survey team learned that the Health Extension Worker (HEW) had been away from the kebele for an extended period for training. Table 3.4 shows how the survey team summarised the problem and identified a number of possible solutions.
| Main cause | Other causes | Possible solutions |
| Lack of awareness of the benefit of sanitation | History of open defecation | Produce better information leaflets and posters. Encourage HEWs and select model households to promote latrine use. |
| Low quality of latrine construction (the pit walls often collapse during the rainy season) | Most of the latrines do not have pit linings | Investigate possible local sources of lining materials. Look at the options for micro-finance systems to allow households to build better latrines. |
| The HEW has been away from the kebele on training | Lack of other staff to cover for the HEW | Encourage community members to look after some of the HEW’s work during absences. Investigate sources of funding to employ or train more HEWs (longer term). |
3.6 After the assessment