BACKGROUND: Public latrine utilization remains critical for the safe disposal of human excrement and good sanitation in low-income countries, including Ethiopia. Nearly 80% of the communicable disease burden in the country is related to inadequate sanitation and hygiene. Therefore, data are required qualitatively to show the current barriers to public latrine utilization, particularly in densely populated urban communities in the study area. OBJECTIVE: To explore barriers to public latrine utilization among selected towns in Awi Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A phenomenological study design was carried out. Among the phenomenological approaches, the descriptive phenomenological method was used to get rich, thick, detailed information and lived experiences of the study participants. Descriptive statistics on socio-demographic characteristics among study participants were also elaborated. One-day training was provided for investigators, facilitators, and supervisors on how to use developed tools and approaches for the study participants. A purposive sampling technique was implemented for in-depth interviews, key informants, and focus group discussions. The required data were collected using semi-structured open-ended interviews, and the recorded data were transcribed. Major themes were identified carefully and synchronized accordingly. RESULTS: A total of 51 individuals participated in the study for 3 FGDs, 11 in-depth interviews, and 8 key informants. The mean age of the study participants was 36.1 (SD ± 8.49) years, ranging from 24 to 56 years. In this study
poor administrative commitment, poor utilization of public latrines, absence of responsible personnel employment to control public latrines, absence of infrastructures which may be used for good handling of public latrines, poor responsibility among health professionals, poor cooperation of the concerned bodies and absence of revised rules and regulations for hygienic activities were contextually identified themes as barriers for public latrine utilization. CONCLUSION: The utilization of public latrines and management were affected by multi-dimensional barriers. Lower attention of district administrators, irresponsible use of public latrines among urban communities, and inappropriate cooperation of health professionals and stakeholders were among the barriers influencing the effective utilization of public latrines. Zonal, woreda, and town administrators, including the municipality at each town, could expand good handling of public latrines, on-time repairing, assigning responsible personnel to control it, and early identification of gaps for public latrines for better utilization, must be taken into account.