Proliferation of Slums in Sub-Saharan Africa: Environmental Exposures and Human Health Effects

Abstract

Slum settlements are a very prominent feature of the urban landscape of developing countries owing to uncontrolled urbanization in these countries. In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for example, cities such as Accra, Lagos, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Johannesburg and Durban are home to some of the world’s largest slum settlements. SSA and South Asia are the most rapidly urbanizing regions of the world. The highest population growth in urban areas are found in these two regions and are concentrated mainly in slum settlements. SSA records the highest number of slum dwellers with about 62% of its urban population residing in slums. Slum settlements are characterized by poor and damp housing, poor sanitation, open drains, and worsening air quality from unpaved roads, increased use of biomass fuels for cooking and open burning of solid waste. These deplorable environmental conditions exposes slum dwellers to pathogens and air pollution. Lack of pipe-borne water in slum areas has also meant consumption of unsafe water owing to reliance on ground and surface water which are often polluted by open drains and nearby pit latrines. Pit latrines are also in widespread use in these settlements.The environmental exposures in slum settlements have been attributed to the high burden of disease and ill-health recorded in these areas including diarrhea, cholera, gastroenteritis, respiratory illnesses, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and cardiovascular diseases. There is growing epidemiological evidence associating these environmental exposures with the listed adverse health outcomes. In this talk, drawing on evidence from the limited studies conducted in slum settlements of SSA cities, an overview of the environmental exposures and the frequently reported health conditions in these settlements will be provided. Solutions for addressing the deplorable environmental conditions in slum settlements will also be proffered for improved health of slum dwellers and for population health gains.