Behavioral, Infrastructural, and Governance Determinants of Zero Open Defecation Implementation in Rural Philippines: Evidence from Donsol, Sorsogon

This study assessed the implementation of the Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) Program in selected barangays of Donsol, Sorsogon, focusing on behavioral, infrastructural, and governance determinants, as well as challenges and proposed strategies for improvement. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, involving 150 respondents composed of household representatives, barangay officials, and Barangay Health Station Team members. Data were gathered using a validated researcher-made questionnaire and analyzed through frequency counts, percentages, and ranking. Findings revealed that Bororan consistently exhibited high sanitation compliance in terms of toilet use, hygiene practices, infrastructure availability, and governance support, while Mabini showed moderate performance, and Old Maguisa demonstrated the lowest compliance, particularly with open defecation practices and limited sanitation facilities. Infrastructural gaps, financial constraints, and weak governance mechanisms were identified as major barriers to effective ZOD implementation. Conversely, strong local leadership, continuous monitoring, and community participation were associated with better sanitation outcomes. The study concludes that successful ZOD implementation requires an integrated approach combining behavioral change, adequate infrastructure, and strong governance support. Addressing disparities across barangays is essential to achieving sustainable sanitation outcomes in rural communities.