Factors that could motivate people to adopt safe hygienic practices in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Background: Approximately 18 million South Africans do not have access to adequate sanitation. This problem is not unique to South Africa but is a challenge to many developing countries. Objectives: The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain insight and understanding of factors that could motivate people to adopt safe hygienic practices. Methods: A non-probability purposive sample of 122 participants was drawn from sanitation stakeholder organisations in the Eastern Cape Province. Of these, 74 were male and 48 were female. The mean age of the participants was 40.1 years. The 122 participants were divided into 15 focus groups, each consisting of about eight members. The focus group discussions were conducted using seven guiding questions. Responses were examined and clustered in terms of the primary focus group questions. Results: Regular water supply, provision of sanitation facilities, stakeholder participation and improvement of consumer sanitation knowledge are factors which can motivate people to adopt safe hygienic practices. Conclusions: There are cultural, educational, economic, institutional, environmental and psycho-social factors that could motivate people to adopt safe hygienic practices.