The Open Defecation Free (ODF) Awareness Programme is a preventive community health programme conducted to sustain and protect the Open Defecation Free status of a community. The programme is organized in areas that have already achieved ODF status, with the aim of preventing the recurrence of open defecation through continuous health education and community participation.
The Department of Community Health Nursing in collaboration with the NSS Unit of Pushpagiri College of Nursing organized an Awareness Programme on Open Defecation – Hazards of Open Defecation on 28 June 2026 in different wards of Kuttoor Grama Panchayat. The programme was conducted by the VIIIth Semester B.Sc. Nursing students as part of their community health nursing activities and extension services.
The main objective of the programme is to create awareness among the community regarding the harmful effects of open defecation, promote proper sanitation practices, and encourage the use of household toilets to ensure a clean and healthy environment. The programme also emphasized the prevention of communicable diseases, environmental hygiene, and the importance of maintaining personal and community sanitation.
The students visited different wards of Kuttoor Grama Panchayat and interacted directly with community members. They conducted health education sessions using simple and effective communication methods, including group discussions, awareness talks, pamphlet distribution, and interpersonal communication. The students educated the public on the health risks associated with open defecation, such as diarrheal diseases, intestinal worm infestations, typhoid, cholera, and other waterborne illnesses. They also highlighted the role of proper waste disposal, hand hygiene, and toilet use in preventing disease transmission.
The programme received an encouraging response from the residents. Community members actively participated in the awareness sessions, clarified their doubts, and expressed their willingness to adopt healthier sanitation practices. The initiative helped strengthen the relationship between the nursing students and the community while promoting public health awareness.
The programme was successfully conducted under the guidance of Sr. Mayukha SIC (Associate Professor, Department of Community Health Nursing), Dr. Jeena Kunjachan(Assistant Professor, Department of Community Health Nursing) and Mrs.Neethu Alice Benjamin(Tutor, Department of Community Health Nursing) whose support and encouragement contributed significantly to the success of the programme
The awareness programme effectively highlighted the preventive aspects of open defecation by educating the community on safe sanitation and hygiene practices. The initiative encouraged people to adopt preventive measures that reduce the risk of communicable diseases and contribute to a cleaner, healthier, and open-defecation-free community. We express our sincere gratitude to Kuttoor Grama Panchayat for their wholehearted support and cooperation in facilitating this awareness programme.
