Causes, Effects and Remedies of Poor Sanitary Condition in Some Secondary Schools

Causes, Effects and Remedies of Poor Sanitary Condition in Some Secondary Schools

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Sanitation is the hygienic means of promoting health through the prevention of human contact with the hazards of waste as well as the treatment and proper disposal of sewage or wastewater. Poor sanitation leads to hazards that can be a physical, microbiological, biological, or chemical agents of disease. Waste that can cause health problems includes human and animal excreta, solid waste, domestic wastewater (sewage or greywater) industrial waste, and agricultural wastes. Most African cities are overcrowded, due to urban attraction. Little controlled urban growth lead to poor management of solid and liquid waste produced by cities. This leads to many problems with sanitation. The sanitation in these cities is generally dominated by self-purification works. They often repress wastewater that trickles down in living quarter streets emitting strong foul odors. (Strauss et al,2000).

The world health organization (WHO) defines the term ‘sanitation’ as the provision of facilities and services for the safe disposal of human urine and feces. The word ‘sanitation’ also refers to the maintenance of hygienic conditions, through services such as garbage collection and waste-water disposals. Poor sanitation which has always been associated with Africans has significant negative effects on the health of dwellers living in the environment. Lack of adequate sanitation in school is a major threat to students’ health. Many schools, particularly rural schools had no latrine at all and of those with latrine most did not have separate latrines for male and female students. Lack of toilet especially separate toilet for girls was identified as the worst school experience for girls. This illustrates that the issue of poor sanitation is one of the special conditions which prevent female students from fuller participation and achievement in schools and to an extent force them out of school.

Following the recent implementation of the policy for universal primary education, the ratio of students to toilet facilities has reduced, which also discourages female students not attending class. Morbidity figures are available according to update show that diarrhea, worm infection, eye, and skin disease accounted for 25.5% of all outpatient visits to health centers, while malaria (another disease related to poor sanitation) accounted for a further 35.5% (ie a total of 59% of all outpatient visit are accounted for by poor sanitation). The level of nutritional stunting in the country is still among the worst rates of nutritional stunting in African and is partly attributed to the high incidence of diarrhea, due to poor sanitation.

The rate of poor sanitation conditions in secondary schools in the Egor Local Government Area of Edo State has increased in recent times due to some factors hindering adequate sanitation service within the school location. In most secondary schools in Egor local government area, poor sanitation allows a lot of infection to spread; a party of waste and excrete for the flies to breed on, and unsafe water to drink, wash with or swim in. among human parasite diseases ranks second behind malaria in term of public health importance in tropical and sub-tropical areas.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Poor sanitation condition in secondary school in the Egor local government area of Edo State has increased the threat to the health of the students. The problem has persisted despite the enlightenment toward the danger of poor sanitation in the school environment. The extent of the condition in schools is only rarely investigated. This research work, therefore, is meant to fill the menace of environmental pollution. Investment in the environmental safety is a serious issue, which needs immediate attention to reduce the spread of diseases among students in schools. It is therefore proper and appropriate to ensure that all sanitary facilities in the school meant for sanitation should be put to use to reduce poor sanitary conditions in schools in the Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.

The central issues of the study therefore are; what are the factors that cause poor sanitation in schools? Does poor sanitation in schools lead to infection among students? What are the dangers of poor sanitation conditions in schools? It is against this background that the study investigates the poor sanitation condition in secondary schools in the Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.

1.3 Purpose of the study

The purpose of this study was to investigate poor sanitation conditions in secondary schools in Egor’s Local Government Area of Edo State. Specifically, the study examined the cause and the effect of poor sanitation in school and its danger to the health of students.

The study also seeks to find out the factors responsible for poor sanitation and how it affects students’ health thereby reducing their academic performance.

1.4 Research questions

The following research questions are raised to guild the study;

Does poor sanitation lead to the spread of infection among students in secondary school?

What are the dangers associated with poor sanitation in secondary schools?

What are the factors that result in poor sanitation conditions in schools?

Does poor sanitation condition affect the academic performance of students in secondary schools?

Is there any difference between poor sanitation conditions and student hygienic state of health?

1.5 Significance of the study

The study will create public awareness and enlightenment campaign for secondary schools across the Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. Also, this study will create awareness of the danger of poor sanitation conditions. Government, school authorities, and stakeholders will be alerted on the existence of poor sanitation conditions in schools and their effect on students’ health and assist policymakers to enact laws to prevent the high rate of poor sanitation conditions and also reduce it to a minimum level.

The study would further provide a valid document for researchers and educators as the finding may stimulate further studies in the study of poor sanitation conditions in schools in Egor’s Local Government Area of Edo State. There is no doubt that this study would add to the existing body of knowledge of sanitation.

1.6 Scope and delimitation of the study

This study investigated the poor sanitation condition of secondary schools in the Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The study was delimited to only five secondary schools in the Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.

1.7 Limitation of the Study

Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in scouring for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (questionnaires).

Time constraint; the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted to the research work.

1.8 Definition of Terms

The following operational terms are used in the study and how it applies to the research;

Condition: The state of something about its appearance, quality, or working order; have a significant influence on or determine (the manner or outcome of something).

Disposal: The action or process of getting rid of something; The action or process of getting rid of something.

Poor: Lacking sufficient items or money to live at a standard considered comfortable or normal in a society.

Refuse disposal: system, a technique for the collection, treatment, and disposal of the solid wastes of a community. The development and operation of these systems are often called solid-waste management.

Sanitation: conditions relating to public health, especially the provision of clean drinking water and adequate sewage disposal.

Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living organism. In humans, individuals or communities can adapt and self-manage.