Assessment of Environmental Health Status of Dukam Town, Oromia Region
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Date
2010-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Back ground: Access to healthfully housing, improved water supply, sanitation and
hygienic practices in general and urban sanitation in particular is one of the major
issues in public health protection and survival of human being. The ever increasing
unplanned urbanization and poor access to safe water supply, sanitation and
unhealthful living and working environment leads to tremendous communicable & none
communicable diseases.
Objective of the study: The general objective of the study was to assess
environmental health status of Dukam town and generate relevant information for
informed decision making process of town officials and concerned stakeholders.
Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Dukam town
from March to May, 2010. Using systematic random sampling methods a total of 409
households were selected for quantitative information while physical observation was
made to see sanitary status of municipal water system, solid and liquid waste
management and housing condition of the town. Quantitative data collected using pretested
and standardized questionnaire was entered using EPI-Info version 6.04 and
exported to SPSS 16.0 window version for cleaning and analysis. Frequencies,
proportions and summary statistics were employed to describe the study population in
relation to the objective of the study. Logistic regression analysis was also employed to
examine association among major dependent and independent variables.
Result: The findings of this study revealed that over all access to healthful- housing,
improved water sources, latrine facility and appropriate solid and liquid waste
management system were found very low and significantly associated to educational
status, income and ownership of the households.
Conclusions and Recommendations: Given that Dukam is currently expanding,
considerable portion of inhabitants are currently living in poor housing condition and out
of access to safe and adequate water supply, improved sanitation and hygienic
conditions. Hence, considering existing challenges and opportunities to community at
large, the town administration should plan upgrading or slum clearance of seriously
affected old housing structures and put in place sanitary housing enforcements.
Furthermore, with good private and public sector involvements, municipal water supply,
solid and liquid waste system must be made accessible to all residents of the town
hand in hand with promotion of participatory hygiene and sanitation information.
Key words: Environmental health, healthful housing, improved water supply,
sanitation, Solid and liquid waste mgt and hygiene practices
Description
Keywords
Environmental health, Healthful housing, Improved water supply