1.1 Introduction
Sanitation generally refers to the provision of facilities and services for the safe disposal of human urine and feaces. It is also 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. Improved sanitation generally involves physically closer facilities, less waiting time, and safer disposal of excreta (WHO, 2010; Hutton et al., 2004). Hygiene is very important to healthy living and survival of humanity especially to students in these off-campus hostels where little or no care is given to the sanitary conditions (Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation and Ministry of Education, 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, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
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).
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).
In order to focus attention to these to these problems, sanitation exercises should be done daily to keep the environment clean by employing labourers that will keep the hostels clean (Anyaka, 2004). Some of the students in these hostels have poor sanitary and hygienic practices that can cause diseases. Environments should be fumigated in order to kill dangerous animals and rodents like snakes, rats, scorpions etc. (Strauss, 2000). It is often referred to as the behaviours and measures which are adopted so as to break the chain of transmission of infections both at home and in school. While lack of safe water, sanitation and prevalence of poor hygiene behaviours is the major cause of death among students in developing countries, a contaminated environment and poor hygiene practices account for over 6% of the total burden of disease among students in these countries (UNICEF & WHO, 2009).
The rate of poor sanitation condition in secondary schools in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State has increase in recent time due to some factors hindering adequate sanitation service within the school location. In most secondary schools in Okpe local government area, poor sanitation gives a lot of infection the opportunity to spread; excrete for the flies to breed on, and unsafe water to drink, wash with or swim in. among human parasite disease ranks second behind malaria in term of public health importance in tropical and sub-tropical areas.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Effect of Poor Sanitation on the Urinary System.
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. Much is not known of the part the owners of these hostels have contributed in curbing poor sanitary practices, but the fact still remains that he students themselves should put in their best effort to practice good sanitation.
The success of sanitation initiatives, therefore depends not only on the technical and financial aspects but also on the social aspects like the projects need to be locally owned, demand driven, linked to hygiene messages and locally developed capacity to undertake on-going maintenance.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the Effect of Poor Sanitation on the Urinary System using some selected secondary schools in Okpe local Government Area of Delta State as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To find out if there is any difference between poor sanitation condition and student hygienic state of health;
- To determine whether poor sanitation leads to spread of infection among students in secondary school;
- To investigate the dangers associated with poor sanitation in secondary schools;
- To investigate the factors that result to poor sanitation condition in schools; and
- To examine the cause and the effect of poor sanitation in school and the danger to the health of students.
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:
- Does poor sanitation leads to spread of infection among students in secondary school?
- Does poor sanitation condition affect the academic performance of students in secondary schools?
- Is there any different between poor sanitation condition and student hygienic state of health?
- What are the factors that cause poor sanitation in schools?
- What are the factors that result to poor sanitation condition in schools?
- What are the dangers associated with poor sanitation in secondary schools?
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 difference between poor sanitation condition and student hygienic state of health
- H1: There is significant difference between poor sanitation condition and student hygienic state of health
Hypothesis Two
- H0: Poor sanitation condition does not affect the academic performance of students in secondary schools
- H1: Poor sanitation condition affects the academic performance of students in secondary schools
1.7 Significance of Study
The findings of this study will create awareness on the danger of poor sanitation condition. Government, school authorities and stakeholders will be alerted on the existence of poor sanitation conditions in schools and its effect on student’s health and assist policy makers to enact laws to prevent the high rate of poor sanitation condition and also reduce it to minimum level.
The findings will help the students to know the need of hygiene or health practices and also enable them to have a sound health. If sanitation is practiced by the students, sickness and diseases will be reduced.
The findings will also help the managers to provide adequate facilities that enable the users (students) of these places keep their environment clean and tidy. If this is done, it will also help them to improve on he practices.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Effect of Poor Sanitation on the Urinary System using Okpe Local Government Area of Delta 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.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- 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).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Sanitation: It is the process of keeping places free from dirt, infection, diseases by removing wastes, trash and garbage by cleaning streets, schools and homes.
Poor: Lacking sufficient items or money to live at a standard considered comfortable or normal in a society.
Hygiene: Conditions or practices conducive to maintaining health and preventing diseases, especially through cleanliness.
