Key advantages of a Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) toilet over alternative low-cost sanitation facilities are its ability to dispel odours and to minimize fly populations. To assess these purported benefits in a field setting, thirty toilets in six Upper West Region communities were monitored from September through November of 2007, modeled, and then compared to the World Bank/UNDP Technical Advisory Group specifications. The evidence suggests that the requirements for achieving beneficial performance are often ignored; hence VIP toilets are not the best sanitation facility for this region. This article details VIP ventilation and fly control mechanisms identified in the 2007 study and assesses their effectiveness; in practice, both fail to meet design specifications

Black, M., and Fawcett, B. (2008) The Last Taboo. London: Earthscan.

Curtis, C. F., and Hawkins, P. (1982) ‘Entomological studies of on-site sanitation systems in Tanzania and Botswana’, Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicinie anld Hygiene , pp99-108.

Emerson, P. M., Lindsay, S. W., Walraven, G. E., Faal, H., Bøgh, C., Lowe, K., et al. (1999) ‘Effect of fly control on trachoma and diarrhoea’, The Lancet, 353 (9162), 1401-1403.

Fewtrell L, K. R. (2005) ‘Water, sanitation and hygiene interventions to reduce diarrhoea in less developed countries: a systematic review and mata-analysis’, Lancet Infectious Diseases , 5 (1), 42-52.

Ghana Statistical Service (2000) Ghana Living Standards Survey Report fot the Fourth Round (GLSS4), Accra: Government of Ghana

Mara, D. D. (1984) ‘The design of Ventilated Improved Pit Latrines’, TAG Technical Note Number 13 . Washington DC.: United Nations Development Programme and World Bank.

Mara, D. D., and Ryan, A. B. (1983) ’Ventilated Improved Pit Latrines: Vent Pipe Design Guidelines,, TAG Technical Note Number 6 . Washington, DC.: United Nations Development Programme and World Bank.

Pickford, J., and Shaw, R. (1998). The Worth of Water, Intermediate Technology Publications, Rugby, UK.

Black, M., and Fawcett, B. (2008) The Last Taboo. London: Earthscan.

Curtis, C. F., and Hawkins, P. (1982) ‘Entomological studies of on-site sanitation systems in Tanzania and Botswana’, Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicinie anld Hygiene , pp99-108.

Emerson, P. M., Lindsay, S. W., Walraven, G. E., Faal, H., Bøgh, C., Lowe, K., et al. (1999) ‘Effect of fly control on trachoma and diarrhoea’, The Lancet, 353 (9162), 1401-1403.

Fewtrell L, K. R. (2005) ‘Water, sanitation and hygiene interventions to reduce diarrhoea in less developed countries: a systematic review and mata-analysis’, Lancet Infectious Diseases , 5 (1), 42-52.

Ghana Statistical Service (2000) Ghana Living Standards Survey Report fot the Fourth Round (GLSS4), Accra: Government of Ghana

Mara, D. D. (1984) ‘The design of Ventilated Improved Pit Latrines’, TAG Technical Note Number 13 . Washington DC.: United Nations Development Programme and World Bank.

Mara, D. D., and Ryan, A. B. (1983) ’Ventilated Improved Pit Latrines: Vent Pipe Design Guidelines,, TAG Technical Note Number 6 . Washington, DC.: United Nations Development Programme and World Bank.

Pickford, J., and Shaw, R. (1998). The Worth of Water, Intermediate Technology Publications, Rugby, UK.

Black, M., and Fawcett, B. (2008) The Last Taboo. London: Earthscan.

Curtis, C. F., and Hawkins, P. (1982) ‘Entomological studies of on-site sanitation systems in Tanzania and Botswana’, Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicinie anld Hygiene , pp99-108.

Emerson, P. M., Lindsay, S. W., Walraven, G. E., Faal, H., Bøgh, C., Lowe, K., et al. (1999) ‘Effect of fly control on trachoma and diarrhoea’, The Lancet, 353 (9162), 1401-1403.

Fewtrell L, K. R. (2005) ‘Water, sanitation and hygiene interventions to reduce diarrhoea in less developed countries: a systematic review and mata-analysis’, Lancet Infectious Diseases , 5 (1), 42-52.

Ghana Statistical Service (2000) Ghana Living Standards Survey Report fot the Fourth Round (GLSS4), Accra: Government of Ghana

Mara, D. D. (1984) ‘The design of Ventilated Improved Pit Latrines’, TAG Technical Note Number 13 . Washington DC.: United Nations Development Programme and World Bank.

Mara, D. D., and Ryan, A. B. (1983) ’Ventilated Improved Pit Latrines: Vent Pipe Design Guidelines,, TAG Technical Note Number 6 . Washington, DC.: United Nations Development Programme and World Bank.

Pickford, J., and Shaw, R. (1998). The Worth of Water, Intermediate Technology Publications, Rugby, UK.

Black, M., and Fawcett, B. (2008) The Last Taboo. London: Earthscan.

Curtis, C. F., and Hawkins, P. (1982) ‘Entomological studies of on-site sanitation systems in Tanzania and Botswana’, Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicinie anld Hygiene , pp99-108.

Emerson, P. M., Lindsay, S. W., Walraven, G. E., Faal, H., Bøgh, C., Lowe, K., et al. (1999) ‘Effect of fly control on trachoma and diarrhoea’, The Lancet, 353 (9162), 1401-1403.

Fewtrell L, K. R. (2005) ‘Water, sanitation and hygiene interventions to reduce diarrhoea in less developed countries: a systematic review and mata-analysis’, Lancet Infectious Diseases , 5 (1), 42-52.

Ghana Statistical Service (2000) Ghana Living Standards Survey Report fot the Fourth Round (GLSS4), Accra: Government of Ghana

Mara, D. D. (1984) ‘The design of Ventilated Improved Pit Latrines’, TAG Technical Note Number 13 . Washington DC.: United Nations Development Programme and World Bank.

Mara, D. D., and Ryan, A. B. (1983) ’Ventilated Improved Pit Latrines: Vent Pipe Design Guidelines,, TAG Technical Note Number 6 . Washington, DC.: United Nations Development Programme and World Bank.

Pickford, J., and Shaw, R. (1998). The Worth of Water, Intermediate Technology Publications, Rugby, UK.