Impact of waste disposal on health of a poor urban community in Zimbambwe.
OBJECTIVE
To assess excreta and waste disposal facilities available and their impact on sanitation related diseases in Epworth, an informal settlement on the outskirts of Harare.


METHODS
Descriptive cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
This was a community based study of Epworth informal settlement.


METHODS
A total of 308 households were interviewed. Participating households were randomly selected from the three communities of Epworth. Secondary medical archival data on diarrhoeal disease prevalence was collected from local clinics and district health offices in the study areas.


RESULTS
Only 7% of households were connected to the sewer system. The study revealed that in Zinyengere extension 13% had no toilet facilities, 48% had simple pits and 37% had Blair VIP latrines. In Overspill 2% had no toilet facilities, 28% had simple latrines and 36% had Blair VIP latrines while in New Gada 20% had no toilet facilities, 24% had simple pits and 23% had Blair VIP latrines. Although a significant percentage had latrines (83.2%), over 50% of the population were not satisfied with the toilet facilities they were using. All the respondents expressed dissatisfaction with their domestic waste disposal practices with 46.6% admitting to have indiscriminately dumped waste. According to the community, diarrhoeal diseases were the most prevalent diseases (50%) related to poor sanitation. Health statistics also indicated that diarrhoea was a major problem in this community.


CONCLUSIONS
It is recommended that households and the local authorities concentrate on improving the provision of toilets, water and waste disposal facilities as a way of improving the health state of the community.
Makoni
F S
FS
Institute of Water and Sanitation Development, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Ndamba
J
J
Mbati
P A
PA
Manase
G
G
D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004522:Educational Status; D004782:Environmental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006798:Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007182:Income; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014038:Toilet Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014881:Water Supply / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology