Fig. 5: Perceived risks and perceived severity of faecal sludge overflow from onsite sanitation systems in the study area.

a Perceived risks of faecal sludge overflow from onsite sanitation systems (OSS) in the study area. Four-hundred households were surveyed using structured questionnaires to determine respondents’ perceived risks from unsafe and reactive emptying behaviour in Khulna Ward 9. Perception of certain risks of self (5%), family member (6%) and community (5%); perception of some risks to self (93%), family (88%) and community (70%); undecided for self (3%), family (4%) and community (25%); perception of no risk was zero in all; and b Perceived severity of faecal sludge overflow from onsite sanitation systems (OSS) in the study area. The respondents were also required to indicate their perceived severity from these unsafe and reactive emptying behaviours. Perception of high severity for self (49%), family (31%) and community (1%); perception of medium severity for self (28%), family (44%) and community (30%); perception of low severity for self (23%), family (24%) and community (33%); undecided perception for self (1%); family (1%) and community (36%). In summary, perceived risks and severity are considered less concerning to the community at large.