Perception of residents and workers toward the environmental health effects of the dumpsite in Solous Igando, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Dumpsites are an ideal breeding ground for disease vectors such as rats and mosquitoes, which may channel severe health issues to the nearby residents and dumpsite workers. The present study aimed to assess the effects of waste disposal at a dumpsite on the surrounding human settlements and health of the workers. In this descriptive study, data were collected from the households within the 0-3-kilometer radius to the dumpsite, as well as the dumpsite workers using structured questionnaires. In total, 150 respondents from the human settlements around the dumpsite participated in the study, including 61 dumpsite workers. Test of independence indicated a significant correlation between the perception of the dumpsite workers and community dwellers toward the dumpsite as a source of health-deteriorating agents (χ2 [1; n=211]=14.00; P=0.001). Dumpsite odor, insect and rodent infestation, and burning activities could predict the ill health status of the dumpsite workers with the final predictive model (ill health status=0.439 + [0.645*odor of dumpsite] + [0.106*insect and rodent infestation] + [-0.151*burning activities on dumpsite]; F[3,57]=21.70; P<0.05). According to the results, the human settlements in the vicinity of the dumpsite were discontented with the landfill and its adverse health effects (e.g., malaria, typhoid, skin infection). However, the dumpsite workers disagreed with the viewpoint regarding disease contraction from the dumpsite, stating that they were not dissatisfied with working on the dumpsite.