For 100 men, the number of straddle trench latrines per 100 men is?

• A. 6
• B. 4
• C. 15
• D. 10

Answer: (B)

In field sanitation, sizing latrines to match the number of people is about balancing access, hygiene, and maintenance. Straddle trench latrines are simple, quick-to-set-up units that hide waste in a trench beneath a seat and are used for short periods before the trench is filled and closed. The goal is to provide enough facilities so people don’t have to wait long, odors are controlled, and the risk of contamination stays low. The usual guideline is to allocate latrines so that each unit serves a reasonable portion of the crowd—a practical way to ensure access without overbuilding. For a group of about one hundred men, this translates to having several latrines—roughly one latrine for a quarter of the group. That means about four latrines for a hundred men. Having too few leads to long lines and hygiene problems; having too many wastes resources that could be better used elsewhere.