Sanitation in Accra Technical University Hostel and Its Environs: A Case Study of Accra Technical University Old Hostel

Abstract

Sanitation and hygiene are among the powerful drives of human development as they affect quality of life at many levels including improved health and economic status. Until proper hygiene is consistently practiced everywhere, the desired impacts of improved sanitation and hygiene in terms of health benefits cannot be realized. The purpose of this study is to identify and analyse factors which lead to better sanitation management and minimise ill health costs of students and staff of the University. Three sets of questionnaires were designed for the Hostel Manager, housekeeping staff and the students. Convenience and judgmental sampling was used to select housekeeping and student respondents respectively. The study revealed that absenteeism of labourers, lack of water, working and cleaning materials and refuse disposal were the factors which contribute to sanitation problems. The implementation of good hygiene and sanitation practices were indicators of cleaning of sleeping and bathroom and the environs in general. In addition, sanitation programs management had been put in place by management to check unhygienic practices, and students were encouraged to practice personal, food and environmental hygiene. It is recommended that Accra Technical University should look at any sanitation situation as a challenge to prevent health related problems; water reservoirs should be made available and positioned at all vantage points for the cleaning staff to clean the environs on a daily basis. Again, cleaning of the environs should be a total responsibility of all stakeholders of the institution and not only the cleaners and all should endeavour to practice all forms of hygiene to achieve a healthy sanitation status.