INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF INADEQUATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL ON PUBLIC HEALTH IN BAFOUSSAM, CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Health comprises all the exterior physical, chemical, and biological variables that affect a person, as well as the connected aspects that influence their behaviours. It involves evaluating and managing the environmental elements that have the potential to impact health (2020). According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), public health refers to the aspects of human health and diseases that are influenced by environmental factors. Environmental health encompasses the study and implementation of methods to evaluate and manage elements in the surroundings that have the potential to impact human well-being (WHO, 2020).  However, eenvironmental variables significantly influence the health and illness patterns within a community. 

Sewage refers to the waste water that is discharged from houses and shops. It is often delivered through massive pipes known as sewers, in the form of a tiny liquid containing suspended solid particles. The waste water can be either diverted to a designated location for recycling or disposed of at a considerable distance from human habitation to prevent the transmission of diseases (Ask, 2019). Sewage is an intricate combination of nutrients, suspended sediments, pathogens, dissolved substances of oxygen, and other pollutants, each of which has distinct environmental consequences (Odetola & Awoniyi, 2019). Sewage must be properly disposed of as it consists of undesirable water from residential and commercial establishments. Sewage disposal refers to the process of releasing used water back into the environment. Disposal points distribute the utilized water to aquatic ecosystems. The manuscript was received on March 3, 2014. It pertains to bodies of water such as oceans, rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, lagoons, as well as to land through absorption systems, ground water recharge, and irrigation (Farlex, 2020). Sewage disposal methods refer to the various options that homeowners and business owners have for releasing wastewater into the environment. 

Zandaryaa, 2018) assert a significant proportion of the African and Asian population still lacks access to sanitation and waste water treatment facilities.  UNESCO reports that the production of waste water worldwide is growing rapidly due to the combined effects of fast population increase and urbanization. An extensive amount of untreated wastewater is discharged directly into our water sources, posing a significant risk to human health, ecosystems, biodiversity, food security, and the long-term viability of our water resources (Zandaryaa, 2018). In Cameroon, various cities employ distinct approaches to sewage disposal. While cities like Douala, Limbe, Buea, Bamenda, and Bafoussam have well-structured and operational sewage systems, other cities lack such systems and therefore rely on disorganized and decentralized waste disposal methods. Insufficient sewage disposal, characterized by improper management or treatment of waste, presents substantial hazards to both public health and the environment. The management of sewage disposal in Cameroon is made more difficult by the fast urbanisation, population increase, and insufficient infrastructure, resulting in major public health concerns. Regrettably, research academics do not devote significant attention to studies on sewage disposal. Therefore, a survey will be conducted in order to investigate the impact of inadequate sewage disposal on public health in  Bafoussam, Cameroon.

Statement of the Problem

Cameroon has faced challenges in waste management throughout its history, primarily due to inadequate government regulation, limited budget, and a lack of public understanding on safe trash disposal methods (United Nations Development Programme [UNDP], 2018). The nation's sanitary system frequently becomes overloaded, especially during the rainy season when flooding worsens the dissemination of untreated sewage. Under these circumstances, microorganisms found in human excrement pollute water supplies, resulting in the occurrence of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery (Ndambi, 2019).

Research has demonstrated a clear link between inadequate sanitation methods and the frequency of contagious illnesses. According to Ndambi (2019), inadequate sewage management in certain locations leads to an increased occurrence of gastrointestinal diseases, especially among children under the age of five, who are more susceptible to these health hazards. Moreover, insufficient sewage disposal has been associated with malnutrition, as recurrent infections weaken the nutritional condition of impacted communities, resulting in a detrimental cycle of disease and malnutrition (Ngwa & Fokam, 2020). Adding to these problems is the absence of efficient waste management facilities in most regions of Cameroon. The current sewage systems, where they are there, are frequently outdated and ineffective, resulting in frequent malfunctions and spills. The issue is worsened by the act of open defecation in certain rural and peri-urban regions, which also pollutes the environment and increases the likelihood of disease spread (UNICEF, 2021). Hence, it is in the light of these that the study seeks to investigate the impact of inadequate sewage disposal on public health in  Bafoussam, Cameroon.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of inadequate sewage disposal on public health in  Bafoussam, Cameroon. Specifically, the study will;

Examine the extent inadequate sewage disposal contributes to the contamination of water quality in Bafoussam, Cameroon.

Examine the extent inadequate sewage disposal contributes to the prevalence  of waterborne diseases in Bafoussam, Cameroon.

Investigate the impact of inadequate sewage disposal on the prevalence of respiratory issues and air quality in Bafoussam, Cameroon.

Propose strategies for improving sewage disposal systems to enhance public health outcomes in Bafoussam.

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

To what extent does inadequate sewage disposal contribute to the contamination of water quality in Bafoussam, Cameroon?

To what extent does inadequate sewage disposal contribute to the prevalence of waterborne diseases in Bafoussam, Cameroon?

How does inadequate sewage disposal impact the prevalence of respiratory issues and air quality in Bafoussam, Cameroon?

What are the strategies to improve sewage disposal systems in Bafoussam?

1.5Research Hypotheses

H0: Inadequate sewage disposal has no significant impact on public health in Bafoussam, Cameroon.

Ha: Inadequate sewage disposal has a significant impact on public health in Bafoussam, Cameroon.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The results will provide guidance for policy choices concerning public health, sanitation, and infrastructure advancement. The research will also yield data regarding the precise health consequences associated with inadequate sewage systems, so facilitating additional enquiries into environmental health concerns and the formulation of efficacious measures to alleviate health hazards.Additionally, the study will empower residents to take personal and collective actions to improve their health and living conditions. Moreover, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review.

1.7 Scope of the study

The scope of this study is boarded on the impact of inadequate sewage disposal on public health in Bafoussam, Cameroon. Empirically, the study will examine the extent inadequate sewage disposal contributes to the contamination of water quality, the extent inadequate sewage disposal contributes to the prevalence of waterborne diseases, investigate the impact of inadequate sewage disposal on the prevalence of respiratory issues and air quality, and propose strategies for improving sewage disposal systems to enhance public health outcomes.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to residents of Bafoussam, Cameroon

1.8 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents.In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Sewage: Wastewater that is generated from domestic, industrial, and commercial activities, which typically contains human waste (feces and urine), household waste (such as detergents and food residues), and water used for washing, bathing, and cleaning.

Sewage disposal: The process of collecting, treating, and safely discharging or recycling sewage to prevent pollution and protect public health.

---

---