SPATIAL ASSESSMENT OF OPEN DEFECATION IN THE CORE AREA OF AKURE METROPOLIS, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

There have been some approaches in tackling Open defecation both locally and globally, but nevertheless open defecation still exists. This study aimed at spatially assessing the practice of open defecation in the study area which serves as one of the ways towards achieving an Open Defecation Free (ODF) city. The data used in the study include primary and secondary data. These are; the coordinates of Open Defecation sites, public toilets, markets and schools which was acquired with the aid of Global Positioning System (GPS) and 2020 google earth satellite imagery. The coordinates acquired were plotted in ArcGIS 10.3 software to determine their spatial distribution. Hotspot analysis was applied to examine the level of practice of open defecation in the study area. Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation was used to identify the spread of practice of Open Defecation. The result shows that most dump sites has been converted to Open Defecation sites and are found to be very close to places with influx of people such as markets. In addition, the study shows that the existing public toilets are not sufficient and as a result, three new toilets were proposed. Furthermore, the study shows specifically that Araromi, Sabo, Stadium road, Imuagan, Odo Ikoyi, Oja Oshodi, Odo ikoyi, Ijemikin and Ajaye street were the major hotspots where open defecation is practiced in the study area. This study recommends a quick attention on the identified hotspot locations in the study area by the government and agencies working towards Open Defecation Free (ODF) city.

Keywords

• hotspots
• inverse distance weighted
• open defecation (od)
• open defecation free (odf)
• cold spots.