Improvement of the Sanitation of Public Places in Rural Areas in Burkina Faso: The Case of the Rural Commune of Béré in the Province of Zoundweogo

Abstract

This study assesses sanitation in public places in the rural commune of Béré, Burkina Faso, and proposes improvements. The diagnosis reveals a glaring lack of infrastructure: the majority of markets (88%), mosques (61%), churches (53%), and many schools (22%) lack latrines, and those that exist are often in poor condition, dirty, and poorly maintained. The lack of greywater management and poor hygiene practices, with over 80% of users not washing their hands, exacerbate the situation. The study recommends a gradual approach: in the short term, funds need to be raised and local awareness increased. In the medium term, the construction of sanitation infrastructure that complies with standards is planned, with the involvement of the local population and stakeholders in the sanitation sector. Finally, in the long term, information, education, and communication initiatives will be implemented to bring about lasting behavioral changes. The estimated cost of these solutions is approximately 886,749,549 CFA francs, to be financed by contributions and community work. The study highlights the urgent need to improve sanitation in Béré through an integrated approach combining emergency action, investment, and awareness-raising.