1.1 Introduction
Environmental sanitation is the process of keeping places free from dirt, infection, diseases by removing wastes, trash and garbage by cleaning streets, schools and homes. An improved sanitation facility is one that hygienically separates human excreta from human contact (WHO, 2010; Hutton et al., 2004). Poor sanitation is responsible for one of the heaviest existing disease burdens worldwide. The diseases associated with poor sanitation and unsafe water account for about 10% of the global burden of disease (Prüss-Üstün et al., 2008). Globally, about 1.7 million people die every year from diarrhoeal diseases, and 90% are children under 5 years, mostly in developing countries. Eighty-eight percent of cases of diarrhoeal diseases worldwide are attributable to unsafe water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene (Mathers et al., 2006; World Health Organization, 2009).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
It is a settled law of all biological organisms must essentially generate waste. It follows therefore that irrespective of social and economic status, humankind must inevitably generate waste in various forms which include gas, liquid and solid on a daily basis, the geographical location in which they live notwithstanding.
Disease related to poor sanitation and water availability because many people to die of sickness like cholera, diarrhea and typhoid which damages the body tissues. Children are most vulnerable to health hazards and consequently are affected the most. In 1998, 2.2 million people died because of poor sanitation, which the vast majorities were children (WHO, 2004). There has been considerable awareness of water supply in off-campus hostels, but the problems of excreta and waste disposal have received less attention. In some of these hostels, everywhere is littered with pure water polythene, pieces of paper and so on, without proper disposal (Erijakpor, 2006).
Waste management has to do with the handling of solid refuse from its sources of generation through storage, collection, transportation, recovery and treatment processes to disposal. Gaseous and liquid waste arises from industrial waste such as polluted water and carbon monoxide as by-products of diesel oil used in industries as alternatives to the generation of electricity. The poor and unmaintained sewerage system, and poultry and piggery waste in the city also contribute to environmental pollution and nuisance, which are hazardous to human life (Omoleke, 2006).
In order to protect human health and the environment from the potential hazards of inappropriate waste disposal and environmental pollution, systematically supervised and controlled handling of these wastes is an absolute requirement. However, the type of waste that constitutes environmental pollution is domestic refuse consisting of degradable food waste, leaves, dead animals, corpses and non-degradable waste such as plastic, glass, nylon, and medical and hospital waste (Omoleke, 2006). The waste is generated in households, hospitals, industries and commercial centres.
In view of the fact that the essence of waste management is to maintain an acceptable level of the quality of the environment, sound public health and creation of aesthetic value, this study focuses on implication of poor sanitary condition among the residents of Jakande-Ajangbadi area in Ojo local government area of Lagos State.
According to Olukoye (2000), a major reason for the social concern with environmental sanitation has been the presence of physical and biological threats and dangers associated with poor sanitation, as it affects life and health. The environment technically includes all those external factors both living and non-living that affect an organism. Human environment in both its natural and man-made aspects is not only a source of threats to life; it is also a sheltering that relates positively to health as biological, psychological and social needs. It follows that both health promotion and protection value overlap with other social values that have environmental implications.
The widening gap between technological developments and the ability of institutions to adapt is at the root of the multiplication of environmental problems that confront us in our houses, at work or on the street. All of these environmental and institutional problems in-turn are intertwined with and form a part of the social problems of the day. Therefore, our recourse according to Hanlon (2009) is to join the rest of the world, to live on it with greater wisdom than before, and to anticipate and guard against those environmental forces, natural and man-made, that might militate against our health.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the problem of poor sanitation has been a threat to individuals’ urinary system which has persisted in spite of the enlightenment toward the danger of poor sanitation in school environment. In recognition of the failures of latrine construction projects to adequately bring about the use of these facilities or the adoption of hygiene practices, there is a growing emphasis on the need to focus on soft elements of sanitation initiatives rather than on ‘hardware’ or technical components.
Common types of environmental sanitation problems are associated with cultural behaviours, inadequate health education programmes, population growth, poor management and technological developments, and since the relationship between sanitation and health has been established, the government should now direct its programmes towards eliminating all possible sources that can endanger health. If strict measures are taken with full participation of the community the most prevalent communicable diseases in Nigeria will gradually be eradicated, as most of these diseases are directly or indirectly related to our environment.
In view of the above therefore, this study examines the public health challenges of poor environmental sanitation on the residents of Jakande-Ajangbadi Areas in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the Public Health Challenges of Poor Environmental Sanitation using some selected secondary schools in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the health related problems associated with poor environmental sanitation in the study area;
- To examine the cause and the effect of poor sanitation in school and the danger to the health of students;
- To highlight the constraints and challenges of keeping healthy environment in the area under review;
- To assess and evaluate environmental sanitation practices in the study area; and
- To make recommendations for improving and promoting quality sanitation habits among the residents in the study area.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there any relationship between the quality of environmental sanitation and quality of health of the people in the study area?
- How can quality sanitation habits be promoted and improved among residents of the area under review?
- What are the challenges facing government and the people in keeping healthy environment in Lagos state?
- What are the roles of governments and the citizens towards keeping healthy environment and practices in Lagos State?
- What are the cause and the effect of poor sanitation in school and the danger to the health of students?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant relationship between the quality of environmental sanitation and quality of health of the people in the study area
- H1: There is significant relationship between the quality of environmental sanitation and quality of health of the people in the study area
Hypothesis Two
- H0: Poor sanitation condition does not affect the health of the people residing in the area under review
- H1: Poor sanitation condition affects the health of the people residing in the area under review
1.7 Significance of Study
Studies have shown that issues surrounding environmental sanitation are concern of everybody including public and private bodies, individual and groups, family members and government. This underscores the central role played by education and awareness, it also justify the need for this current study.
Also, the result of this study is expected to shed more light on the social and health implications of poor sanitary conditions and low standard of living in Nigeria. Therefore, the study is part of the effort to educate the Nigerians about unhealthy habits and unhygienic condition.
Finally, the study will make a veritable source of secondary information both locally and internationally. Therefore, other researchers, public, government agencies and other interested readers stand to derive a lot of information as related to healthy living and maintenance of quality and standard of environmental sanitation.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Poor Environmental Sanitation and Public Health Challenges using Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State as a case study.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
- Lack of Initial Cooperation from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
1.10 Definition of Terms
Environmental sanitation:
It is the art of keeping our surrounding clean and control of all sources and factors that can aid the spread of diseases.
Health:
It is a state of complete physical mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Public Health Law:
These are laid down rules and regulations relating to the protection and promotion of good health standard.
Pollution:
It means to destroy the purity, sanity or the quality of water.
Management:
May be defined as the creation and maintenance of an environment in which individuals working together as a group can accomplish the pre-set goals within the limited resources available.
Nuisance:
Anything that is likely to injure health either directly or indirectly is a nuisance.
Hygiene:
It is the scientific knowledge and application of healthy living.
Technology:
It is a systematic application of knowledge and skill to practical performance or tasks in production.
