Sanitation Issues Research Articles

A framework to assess the economic vulnerability of farming systems: Application to mixed crop-livestock systems

The main challenge for farmers is to maintain a high annual income within an ever-changing context of production (climate, prices, sanitation issues), i.e. to ensure low vulnerability. The vulnerability of a given system corresponds to its susceptibility to be harmed, reflecting its inability to cope with adverse effects. This paper presents a framework that can be applied to determine the economic vulnerability of farming systems considering their social dimension, and to identify farming management profiles that are likely to be less vulnerable. The framework defines vulnerability levels based on analysis of four quantitative indicators reflecting the ‘behaviour’ of the economic results per labour unit in the long term: the relative standard deviation of the economic result per worker, the relative mean distance of the economic result to a minimum threshold, the number of economic disruptions over a specified period, and the economic recovery time after disruption. The framework was applied to a sample of 208 French farms, and the results revealed that diversification alone is not enough to cope with risks. Less vulnerable mixed crop-livestock systems are characterized by more crop-livestock interactions, allowing for less dependency on markets and more flexibility. This kind of management allows farms to be larger and to have more livestock. These findings help clarify the vulnerability of farming systems and may encourage the development of policies to enhance market opportunities at the regional level to foster diversification strategies and flexibility.

Disparities in access to Improved and Unimproved Sources of Drinking water and Toilet facilities in Nigeria: A Socioeconomic Dichotomy

This empirical study was aimed at examining disparities in access to improved and unimproved sources of drinking water as well as sanitation infrastructure in Nigeria. Data were obtained from Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey Dataset (NDHS, 2013) and the WHO/UNICEF categorisation of improved and unimproved sources of drinking water and sanitation facilities (2006) was employed for the comparative analysis. Results revealed significant disparities in access to both facilities between the urban and rural sectors. Regression analyses were performed on both variables as dependent univariates with some independent variables to find out the effect of socioeconomic factors responsible for the disparities. At the significant level of P< 0.05, all tested independent variables were significant. Implicit in the result is the fact that level of education, wealth index, age and sex of household heads and distance to water sources are all germane to access in both facilities. Recommendations made among others are; water and sanitation issues be accorded more priority in governance; that the onus lies on the government to do more in the area of infrastructure especially water and sanitation as these facilities have serious implication for healthy environment and healthy living.Keywords: Poverty, Sanitation, Water, Nigeria

Cultural determinants of sanitation uptake and sustainability: local values and traditional roles in rural Bali, Indonesia

Abstract There is a wealth of literature indicating that socio-cultural understanding is crucial in the implementation of sanitation programmes. However, in Indonesia, the exploration and response to this understanding in regard to sanitation uptake and sustainability remain weak. This study aims to gain an understanding of the cultural determinants underpinning sanitation issues across all sanitation stages in one part of Indonesia in order to address both uptake and sustainability. A qualitative exploratory study in two rural communities in Bali identified some cultural values and traditional roles that can affect sanitation uptake and sustainability. A set of values relating to harmony and purity, and community and individual roles defined by culture appears to modify the perception of risks and barriers, and sets priorities for resources and commitment. The paper also discusses how to translate the understanding of local values and roles into action strategies in order to improve sanitation uptake and sustainability.

Deliberation for Development: Ghana’s First Deliberative Poll

This article poses the problem of public consultation in developing countries and applies a solution in Ghana as a test case. It describes the theoretical rationale for deliberative consultation with random samples, describes specific criteria for success, and then assesses an application under the challenging conditions of a developing country. It builds on notions of “deliberative democracy,” and shows how they can be practically realized in an African context through “Deliberative Polling” (DP). The challenge is that the context is one of the poorest parts of one of the poorest countries in Africa. Rather than consulting just stakeholders, or self-selected populations, or using conventional surveys, DP’s have the advantage of consulting random samples with deliberation in depth in confidential surveys so that the opinion changes can be evaluated at the individual level, free of social pressures for consensus. Is this practical in this context? A DP was conducted in Tamale, Ghana on issues of water, sanitation, hygiene and food security. Criteria for success for DPs that have been applied in highly developed countries are discussed and then applied in Ghana under challenging conditions.

Cross-sectional survey on environmental pollution surrounding poultry production cluster area

This study was carried out to determine the environmental pollution surrounding poultry production cluster (PPC). A cross-sectional survey on environmental pollution surrounding PPC was conducted in the districts of Subang and Ciamis, West Java Province, Indonesia. Information of farmers aspiration on environmental pollution and sanitation issues related to the existence of PPC was collected by semi-structured questionnaires. Ammonia gas (NH3) in feces was tested qualitatively, and ground water was analyzed for Coliform and Salmonella sp. contamination. The result showed that dust and ammonia gases from feces (Subang 300-450 ppm, Ciamis 25-525 ppm) pollute the environment and caused an unpleasant odor surrounding the pens. Fly population was increasing during the harvest time of chickens,causing community daily lives were not comfortable. Water quality surrounding PPC indicated that Salmonella sp. contamination was negligible however most samples from Subang and Ciamis were contaminated with coliform bacteria (<3 MPN/ml–27 MPN/ml). Improvement on management policy to reduce the environmental pollution is thus still needed to develop surrounding the PPC areas.

Is sanitation essential to human health? The sanitation issue in the public health field.

Although sanitation problems seem to have been resolved, every day thousands of children around the world die of diseases caused by the lack of it. Nevertheless, sanitation remains virtually invisible in the Brazilian health sector agenda. The objective of this study is to investigate the importance given to this topic by researchers from the public health field. The relevance of the subject was mapped out in CNPq's research groups, Brazilian scientific journals, and public health graduate programs. The results showed that few of these programs addressed the topic of sanitation. As a consequence, few public health research groups study and publish about sanitation in the journals assessed. The potential factors that could be behind the limited interest in sanitation shown by the public health academic community are discussed.

A Documentation of Hepatitis Outbreak in Chittagong

Introduction: Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) causes outbreaks of jaundice and it is associated with morbidity and higher maternal mortality. There is a recent outbreak of hepatitis in the Chittagong city and present study is aimed to observe the clinical and serological trends along with outcome of hepatitis cases visiting two tertiary care hospitals Chittagong, Bangladesh.
 Methods: It was an observational study done in two tertiary care hospital of Chittagong in a period of 3 months (May, June & July 2018) among 230 patients of hepatitis. After inclusion with written informed consent patients were introduced a questionnaire. Their demographic data, risk behaviors were noted, history related to hepatitis were recorded. Examination was done and evaluation regarding presence of hepatic encephalopathy at bed site was noted. Later serological findings were evaluated. After collection of all data it were compiled and analyzed by SPSS- 20.
 Results: Among 230 cases age group, gender and locality of the study patients were analyzed where younger age groups specially 21-30 years 114(49.6%) and 31-40 years 38(16.5%) were the most affected group. Gender distribution was found mostly same. Halishahar area which is located in western part of the Chittagong city was found mostly affected 196(85.2%). Use of water from WASA (Water and Sewerage Authority) supply was 168(73%) and deep tubewel water was 56(24.3%). Among them 80(34.8%) subjects do not boil water Anorexia (74.8%) nausea (77.4%) vomiting (83.5%) history of fever (89.6%) passage of dark color urine (99.1%) and weakness (97.4%) were some common presenting complaints. Family history of jaundice was found in 40.9% of cases. Among all 216(93.91%) had clinical jaundice, 91(39.56%) had right upper quadrant of the abdomen pain, 41(17.8%) had hepatomegally, 14(6.1%) had spleenomegally, 24(10.4%) had signs of hepatic failure and 34(14.8%) female were pregnant. Anti HEV was found positive in 164(71.3%) cases, 12(5.2%) were positive for anti HAV, 6(2.6%) were positive for HBsAg. None was found anti HCV positive. Among all 4(1.8%) cases died due to hepatic failure or multi-organ failure with AKI. All of them were pregnant. Two pregnant lady had missed abortion. Among all 11(4.7%) cases loosed follow and 213(92.60%) cases had uneventful recovery.
 Conclusion: This outbreak of HEV was of usual pattern of morbidity and mortality, and therefore points to water supply and sanitation issues.
 Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J; Vol.17 (2); Jul 2018; Page 2-5

PKM KELOMPOK USAHA KERIPIK TEMPE DI DESA TULUNGREJO, KECAMATAN BUMIAJI DAN DESA BEJI, KECAMATAN JUNREJO, KOTA BATU, JAWA TIMUR

Malang, including Batu City, is a tempe-producing region with a characteristic tempe which is a dense texture. The characteristics of the typical tempe have encouraged many small industries and households that produce tempe chips. Batu City which is a tourist city with tempe chips as the main gift, makes the demand for tempe chips very high so that the market for this product is always there. This condition encourages 2 SMEs to produce tempe chips, namely Tempe (Mitra 1) and UKM Tempe (Mitra 2). The production process that is still done manually and using household-scale equipment by UKM Fauzi Tempe and UKM Ibu Tempe causes less than optimal production results. The Problem of Mitra 1 (SME Tempe Fauzi) is the tempe chopper used is still tempe manual chopper. Problems with Mitra 2 (UKM Tempa Chips Ibu Anah ) are still using wooden handicrafts, the packaging process still uses hand sealers which have started to break, and the process of stripping and breaking soybeans in raw tempeh is still using a simple self-assembling machine. Management and sanitation issues are also a problem in both SMEs. The program implementation methods at both partners include increasing efficiency and capacity of Mitra 2 soybean stripping and solving, enhancing the capacity of cranes in Mitra 1, increasing packaging efficiency in partner 2, improving financial and marketing management in both partners, and assisting in the implementation of food production methods good in both partners. The team will also assist both partners with improved sanitation and assistance in the preparation and implementation of SSOP in both partners.

“Kill Rats and Stop Plague”

The outbreak of bubonic plague in Kumasi from March 1924 until March 1925 killed 145 people and contributed to significant social and political changes in the city. In this article, I reconstruct the events that surrounded the epidemic, particularly British officials’ responses and efforts to end it, to argue that the epidemic grew out of Kumasi’s integration into the British Empire and capitalist system and therefore must be examined within the context of global histories of disease, empire, and capitalism. I show that while British officials saved lives and ended the epidemic with relatively few deaths, they also exploited the medical crisis to remake Kumasi politically, socially, and spatially as a colonial city governed largely around issues of trade, sanitation, and public health.

Managing the Urban Environment of Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic

This article brings the contemporary thinking and practice of Urban Environmental Management (UEM) to the solution of real problems in a major city of a developing country in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Such cities face more immediate problems than the developed world and have fewer resources to deal with them. The study first considers the context of the Dominican Republic and then reviews issues of poverty alleviation, industry, sewage and sanitation, water, energy, transportation and finance in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic. Finally, it proposes a 5-year plan to help solve the urban environmental problems of Metropolitan Santo Domingo, the largest city in the Caribbean, utilizing a real-world database and a limited budget.

Assessing the Impact of Sanitation on Customer Retention: A Survey of Restaurants in the Tamale Metropolis

In the hospitality industry customer perception and satisfaction are largely hooked upon quality of service in the quest to retaining customers in the restaurants. This study is aimed at examining the impact of sanitation on customer retention in restaurants in the Tamale Metropolis. Some of the key elements that were used to examine the study were customer perception and satisfaction on sanitation variables such as dining area cleanliness, employee hygiene, outside environment cleanliness and food contact surface cleanliness. Participants in this study included customers in the restaurants. The convenient sampling and lottery sampling methods were employed for this study. The total number of restaurants was 30 while 543 customers were selected in the restaurants. Customer perception of sanitation variables had significant effect on their return intention. Customers were also highly satisfied with the sanitation level in restaurants and that influenced their retention. It is however imperative for all food service managers to uphold the issues of sanitation seriously in order to ensure customer retention.

Urban development-induced displacement and quality of life in Kolkata

This paper draws together issues of urban development-induced displacement and resettlement and the quality of life of the affected population over the longer term. It reviews settlement strategies related to the Kolkata Environmental Improvement Project, exploring residents’ recollection of the relocation process and comparing and contrasting the situation over time of two groups of low-income households: those who refused a resettlement package and chose to continue to reside in their canalside huts; and those who accepted the package and moved into new flats provided by the government. The paper highlights issues of livelihoods, social cohesion and sanitation among both sets of households to find out whether those who were resettled experienced improvement in these aspects of their lives. Findings point to resettled households’ overall satisfaction with sanitation despite periodic lapses in functioning, and a modicum of social support, but significant livelihood problems among the poorest households, and dissatisfaction with the small size of units.

Bio-Treatment of Organic Leachate and Domestic Wastewater, Using Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor

Leachate, a semi-solid excruciatingly concentrated waste stream is an unavoidable potential threat which attributes additional burden to the municipal solid waste (MSW) processing and disposal (P&D) facilities. Safe handling, proper treatment, and eco-friendly disposal of leachate posses a challenge due to the elevated concentration of several objectionable parameters. Ancillarilly, sanitary sewerage systems serve only a low percentage of the national population and in non-sewer areas, more than 80% of the black and grey water including human excreta and other fecal matter ends up in septic tanks. Therefore, the present study tried to produce a wholesome remedy jointly to the sanitation and leachate management issues using the biological treatment mechanism. Experimental studies have been carried out to treat the combined effluent of MSW leachate and domestic wastewater in different ratios using up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor. The result revealed that the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal efficiencies using domestic wastewater and MSW leachate as a substrate were about 84 and 86%, respectively with Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) of 12h. Whereas, the COD removal efficiency of the combined effluent of domestic wastewater and MSW leachate at various proportions (70:30, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60, 30:70) was about 90%.

Public policy implementation and basic sanitation issues associated with hydroelectric projects in the Brazilian Amazon: Altamira and the Belo Monte dam

Located in the State of Pará, along the Xingú River, the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Complex is the largest, most recent project in the Amazon region and third largest in the world. The city of Altamira, located 52 km upstream from the Belo Monte dam, served as the main stage for its construction. Using surveys and interviews performed in 2016 as social and quantifiable tools, we determine basic sanitation practices in Altamira after the construction of Belo Monte and reveal issues that can impact the environment and public health of the population. Through analysis of national policies and the use of publicly available information, we identify discrepancies between Altamira's current reality and Brazil's existing national public policies, mainly Brazil's Water Resources Policy and the Federal Sanitation Law. Similar basic sanitation provision and waste disposal practices along the region lead us to believe that, if not addressed, the implementation gaps observed in Altamira are likely to emerge in future hydroelectric development projects currently envisioned throughout the Amazon Basin. As more dams in the Amazonian region are planned, identifying public policy implementation gaps that affect basic sanitation and water resources creates opportunities to anticipate problems that could impinge on the public health needs of residents where such large infrastructure projects will be implemented.

Actively engaging women is helping solve the global water crisis

Abstract Water For People's programs strive to improve the quality of life for Everyone – every family, clinic, and school – Forever. However, women and girls are disproportionately affected by lack of access to safe water and adequate sanitation. This is due to having to spend time fetching water, looking for a toilet, or caring for sick family members instead of going to school and working. Actively striving for gender parity in community planning and decision-making brings a more holistic view to water and sanitation and encourages more women to become community leaders and water professionals. In Water For People's experience, the active participation of women increases understanding of community water and sanitation issues and enhances solutions to help end the global water crisis.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of primary schools learners on sanitation and hygiene practices

Background: Water, sanitation and hygiene played a significant role in schools by reducing water and sanitation related diseases; subsequently improving the health and learning performance of school-aged children. However, ppeople’s knowledge and attitudes on sanitation and hygiene determine the actual practice towards it. This study aimed at assessing and describing the knowledge, attitudes and practices of primary school learners towards sanitation and hygiene.Methods: A quantitative, descriptive design was used. A questionnaire was used to collect data among 450 learners in 10 selected primary schools in Ohangwena region. The study population was grade five, six and seven primary school learners. A three staged probability sampling method was employed. Statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.Results: The result indicated that younger learners in lower school grades, has poorer knowledge, attitudes and practices towards hygiene and sanitation than older learners irrespective of their gender, school circuits or location. This is a logical conclusion because, as learners become older, they become more aware and take precautions about hygiene and sanitation issues.Conclusions: Younger learners in lower school grades, has poorer knowledge, attitudes and practices towards hygiene and sanitation irrespective of their gender, school circuits or location. The older learners become more aware, and cautious about hygiene and sanitation issues comparing to younger learners. The practice and knowledge of sanitation and hygiene are implicated by the reality of the conditions of the sanitation facilities available to them.

Effects of Waste Management Customer Online Value Co-Creation on Sanitation Attitude and Advocacy: A Customer-Enterprise Dyadic Perspective

The study aims at establishing the benefits of actively utilizing the intangible resources of solid waste management customers in designing and implementing solid waste collection services, using the social media platforms. While Ghana generates high volumes of solid waste on a daily basis, less than half of it is effectively collected and disposed of. This calls for the adoption of innovative strategies to better connect and serve customers. Adopting a marketing approach to solid waste management has not been given much needed attention in Ghana and Africa, and this research sought to contribute in that direction. There is high usage of mobile telephony services in Ghana which a waste firm can explore to change negative attitude to waste disposal by the populace. Online co-creation is seen as a modern marketing approach leading to behavioral change in consumers. In this regard, the study looked at customer online co-creation in the solid waste collection sector in Ghana. The study adopted the survey strategy using structured questionnaire as the measure instrument, and data analyzed using both the structural equation model (SEM) and hierarchical multiple regression. The key findings are that customer intangible resources (online experience and skills) can be tapped by waste firms to co-create services that would generate positive attitude towards sanitation issues and the willingness to advocate the services and programs of the firm. Similarly, waste firms must invest in well-functioning and information rich digital platforms, and to devise innovative strategies to direct traffic to these platforms for effective customer participation.

Religion and Sanitation in a City in Ghana: A Conundrum?

The current state of sanitation in Ghana is not a sudden development. The issue of poor sanitation stems from the poor management of waste in communities principally because of the attitude of the people towards it. The issue of religion comes to light in considering the factors that play a role in dealing with sanitation because of the confidence people have in religion. It is necessary to explore this possibility in dealing with the issue of poor sanitation in the society. This study therefore seeks to uncover the relationship between sanitation and religion in Ghana from the second half of the twentieth century to contemporary times.

A market-based solution to a sanitation issue in a marginalised area

ABSTRACTNeo-liberal ideology, as an abstract technique of self-governance and population management, is often viewed as tolerant of extreme inequality within a market economy. However, the range of policy proposals that flow from the ideology are not necessarily insensitive to development projects in marginalised areas. Sensitivity to market mechanisms may inject pragmatism in contexts where states are unable or unwilling to supply capability enhancing public goods. Through an analysis of the Center for Urban and Regional Excellence’s proof-of-concept development project in India, this article argues that a market-oriented framework can be useful in mitigating collective action problems.

The effect of evening primrose oil on fatigue and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis.

BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic progressive and inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that is characterized by demyelination in the central nervous system. In regard to the prevalence of diseases and enormous costs imposed on society and the health system, finding a way to stop the progression of the disease using drugs with fewer side effects seems a serious sanitation issue to the health of the international community. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of evening primrose oil (EPO) on fatigue and quality of life in patients with MS.Materials and methodsIn this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 52 patients with MS were chosen and categorized into 2 groups which received 2 doses of EPO and placebo. In addition, the quality of life and fatigue scale in these patients were investigated before the treatment and again 3 months after therapy. The findings were then compared between the 2 groups.ResultEPO consumption significantly increased cognitive function, vitality, and overall life satisfaction and also reduced pain and fatigue compared to placebo (P<0.05).ConclusionOur findings indicated that EPO consumption had no impact on the quality of life in general; however, it had a significant effect on several important aspects of life quality such as the increase of cognitive function, vitality, and overall life satisfaction. It also reduced the pain and fatigue in comparison to the placebo consumption. Herbal medicines are brittle and have fewer side effects than chemical drugs. With use of this plant, reduced fatigue and improved quality of life were observed in MS patients. But the drug did not prevent the progression of the disease.