The effects of poor sanitation on public health and the environment: a case study of Fort Portal municipality, Kabarole district- Uganda.

Abstract

This dissertation represents the findings of the research conducted in Fort Portal municipality, Kabarole district. It describes the effects of poor sanitation on Public health and the Environment. Poor sanitation characterized by liquid wastes, solid waste disposal techniques, inadequate sanitation facilities and unsafe water supply systems. It is associated with diseases such as cholera, typhoid, malaria, bilhazia, trachoma, schistosomiasis, and dysentery. The objectives were to find out; the effects of poor sanitation on public health and the environment, possible environmental contaminants, activities in Fort Portal town and sanitation facilities available in the municipality. Achieving the above objectives would result into establishing better ways of improving sanitation and public health standards in the municipality, increase awareness in people about good hygiene, help other researchers in the same field and provide basic information to municipal authorities to enable them make better framework and planning. The methods used in data collection included: Sample size determination, use of questionnaires, interview guides for key informants and focus groups, and observation checklists for only the researcher. Data design, analysis and processing were used to extract meaningful information from the data. Cases of poor sanitation were as a result of uncontrolled waste disposal in public places, fewer latrines, and limited funds in waste management, and lack of awareness amongst the people. It should be noted that sanitation, public health and the environment are related. Thus, poor sanitation can result into diseases, affect incomes of the people and make homes unrest due to morbidities and deaths. Currently, the highest infection in Fort Portal is malaria at 57.03% since stagnant wastewaters and solid wastes dumped in open sites are breeding places for mosquitoes. Therefore, there is need to encourage the public to participate in the proper handling of wastes and hygiene standards, more hygiene awareness campaigns by the authorities, procurement for more funds and solid waste disposal facilities, making of waste water inventory programmes, and strengthening of bye- laws and implementing of Government laws and policies responsible for preventing the people and the environment from diseases and contamination respectively.