Ilagan, K. S. (2016). Establishing a participatory community-based strategy to implement zero open defecation program in Mataguinao, Samar (Unpublished master's thesis). Graduate School of Public and Development Management, Development Academy of the Philippines.

Graduate School of Public and Development Management Health Systems and Development Batch 6 Thesis (MPM-HSD)--Development Academy of the Philippines.

In the rural Municipality of Mataguinao, Samar, poor sanitation is a chronic problem. Despite local government efforts to improve coverage and access through financial support for construction of sanitary toilets, only 40% of the households in the municipality have access to sanitary toilets. This descriptive study aims to establish a participatory, community based approach to address the widespread open defecation in Mataguinao, Samar. The socioeconomic profile of the respondents showed that income, occupation, education and housing affect sanitation practices. Baseline survey showed that community members who practice open defecation belong generally belong to the lower socio economic class. Behavioral factors are important underlying determinants for the practice of open defecation. It should be emphasized that the implementation of such programs that aim to address open defecation needs to include behavior change communication. Behavior change communication through participatory rural appraisal was successful in enabling the community to have active participation in the planning and implementation of the barangay zero open defecation.