INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POOR SEWAGE DISPOSAL AND THE SPREAD OF WATERBORNE DISEASES IN CAMEROON ( A CASE STUDY OF NKONGSAMBA, CAMEROON)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Human activities produce trash that has the potential to be detrimental to the environment, wildlife, vegetation, and the overall ecosystem. Nevertheless, only meticulous management or proper disposal may mitigate the harm inflicted on the environment and preserve limited resources (Powell, 2021). Whereas, Sewage refers to a combination of solid and liquid waste that is collected and transported through sewers. It can be treated or untreated before being discharged into big bodies of water (Zhang et al., 2018), sewage disposal refers to the method of safely disposing of wastewater from residential and commercial sources. This wastewater, often consisting of a liquid with small solid particles, is conveyed through enormous pipes known as sewers to ensure its ecologically friendly disposal (Ask, 2019). The wastewater is either routed to a specified location for recycling or disposed of in a remote area to prevent the spread of infections. 

Apparently, the proper disposal of sewage waste is crucial for safeguarding public health, preventing the spread of diseases, and mitigating water contamination caused by sewage toxins. Likewise, disposal of sewage waste protects public health and prevents disease, as well as water pollution from sewage contaminants. As the country experiences rapid urbanization and population growth, the existing sewage infrastructure struggles to cope with the increasing demand. This situation exacerbates the risk of waterborne diseases, which are transmitted through contaminated water sources. On the other hand, poor sewage disposal and poor personal hygiene are major contributors to water-borne diseases globally (Ayeni, 2019). Manetu and Karanja (2021) posited that waterborne diseases are contracted from drinking polluted water. This is enhanced by paucity of healthy drinking water, poor environmental conditions, poor sewage disposal and poor personal hygiene practices, as well as indiscriminate refuse disposal in an area. Studies have shown that regions with poor sewage disposal systems are more prone to outbreaks of these diseases, as the contaminants frequently find their way into drinking water sources 

According to Ngwa (2021) the environmental impact of poor sewage disposal extends beyond health concerns. Contaminated water sources can lead to the degradation of local ecosystems, affecting agriculture and biodiversity. The presence of pollutants in water bodies can harm aquatic life and disrupt the balance of local ecosystems, which in turn affects food security and livelihoods in the region (Kamga et al., 2020). Therefore, a survey will be conducted in order to investigate the relationship between poor sewage disposal and the spread of waterborne diseases in Cameroon ( a case study of Nkongsamba, Cameroon).

Statement of the Problem

Recently, Nkongsamba among other regions in Cameroon suffers from insufficient sewage treatment infrastructure, resulting in the release of untreated or inadequately treated wastewater into rivers, streams, and open areas. This raw sewage contains pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which have the potential to pollute drinking water supplies and trigger epidemics of diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid fever (Moulin et al., 2019). 

Research conducted in comparable settings in sub-Saharan Africa has revealed a strong correlation between insufficient sanitation practices and elevated rates of waterborne illnesses. Inadequately supervised sewage systems facilitate the dissemination of disease-causing microorganisms in the surroundings, especially in areas where the availability of uncontaminated water is restricted (Baker et al., 2019). Although these problems have been acknowledged, attempts to enhance sewage disposal in Nkongsamba have been impeded by several factors, such as insufficient money, inadequate infrastructure, and limited community awareness. The local government and stakeholders encounter substantial obstacles in developing extensive sewage management systems that can cater to the increasing population and rectify current shortcomings (Tchouakui et al., 2018). Hence, it is in the light of these that the study seeks to investigate the relationship between poor sewage disposal and the spread of waterborne diseases in Cameroon.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between poor sewage disposal and the spread of waterborne diseases in Cameroon. Specifically, the study will;

Determine the prevalence of waterborne diseases due to inadequate sewage disposal in Nkongsamba.

Determine the factors contributing to poor sewage disposal practices in Nkongsamba.

Determine whether there is a correlation between poor sewage disposal practices and the incidence of waterborne diseases in Nkongsamba.

Determine the strategies for improving sewage disposal to reduce the spread of waterborne diseases in Nkongsamba.

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

What is the prevalence of waterborne diseases due to inadequate sewage disposal in Nkongsamba?

What are the factors contributing to poor sewage disposal practices in Nkongsamba?

Is there a correlation between poor sewage disposal practices and the incidence of waterborne diseases in Nkongsamba?

What strategies can be implemented to improve sewage disposal and reduce the spread of waterborne diseases in Nkongsamba?

1.5  Research Hypotheses

H0: There is no significant relationship between poor sewage disposal and the spread of waterborne diseases in Nkongsamba, Cameroon.

Ha: There is a significant relationship between poor sewage disposal and the spread of waterborne diseases in Nkongsamba, Cameroon.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study will provide evidence-based suggestions for enhancing waste management practices, which may be utilised to develop efficient public health campaigns and sanitation policies with the goal of decreasing the prevalence of waterborne infections. Moreover, it will educate community leaders and residents with the significance of appropriate sewage disposal, enabling them to implement practical measures to safeguard their health and well-being.

Furthermore, the findings will be of great significance to academics and researchers who are interested in environmental health, as they will serve as a basis for future investigations into the relationship between sanitation techniques and the spread of diseases in related environments.

1.7 Scope of the study

The scope of this study is boarded on the relationship between poor sewage disposal and the spread of waterborne diseases in Cameroon. Empirically, the study will determine the prevalence of waterborne diseases due to inadequate sewage disposal, the factors contributing to poor sewage disposal practices, whether there is a correlation between poor sewage disposal practices and the incidence of waterborne diseases and the strategies for improving sewage disposal to reduce the spread of waterborne diseases.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to residents of Nkongsamba, Cameroon

1.8 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents.In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Sewage: Wastewater that is generated from households, industries, and commercial establishments, typically containing a mix of human waste, water, food scraps, chemicals, and other waste products.

Sewage disposal: The process of managing and eliminating wastewater and human waste from households, industries, and other facilities.

Waterborne Diseases: Illnesses caused by pathogenic microorganisms that are transmitted through contaminated water. Common waterborne diseases include cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and hepatitis.

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