Causes, Effects, and Remedies of Poor Sanitary Conditions in Some Secondary Schools
Chapter One
Purpose of the study
The purpose of this study was to investigate poor sanitation condition in secondary schools in Egor local Government Area of Edo State. Specifically the study examined the cause and the effect of poor sanitation in school and it’s dangerous 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.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
Concept of Sanitation
Sanitation is basically a hygienic disposal or recycling of waste. It also is considered as a practice that allows protection of health with the help of hygienic measures (UNESCO, 2003). It is also commonly understood as a term that is used for treatment of waste in its original form. “Sanitation” is understood to mean “the promotion of hygiene and prevention of disease by maintenance of sanitary conditions”. In the nineteenth century the term “sanitary” was understood to mean something “relating to health, or relating to or used in the disposal of domestic waterborne waste” (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 2003) (Sinha and Menon, 1999). The 1999 protocol on water and health to the 1992 convention on the protection and use of trans-boundary watercourses and international lakes defined sanitation as “the collection, transport, treatment, and disposal or reuse of human excreta or domestic water-waste, whether through collective systems or by installation, serving a single household or undertaking”. This understanding of the term includes, not only the removal of waste from direct contact with human beings, but also its treatment and possible safe reuse (Kumar, 2001). It has been found that poor water and sanitation facilities have many other serious repercussions. A direct link exists between water, sanitation and health, and nutrition and human well-being.
Consumption of contaminated drinking water, improper disposal of human excreta, lack of personal and food related hygiene and improper disposal of solid and liquid waste have been major causes of many diseases in Nigeria and it is estimated that around 30 million people suffer from water-related diseases (Blackwell, 2004). Children, particularly girls and women, are the most affected.
Sanitation is vital for good health. Health problems associated with poor sanitation include diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, cholera, malaria, bilharzias, worm infestations, eye infections, and skin diseases. Sanitation is also vital for wealth creation. Economic benefits of improved sanitation include savings in health costs, higher worker productivity, better school attendance, improved tourism and reduced water treatment costs (RSA, 2000).
Adequate sanitation is the foundation of social development. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a decent toilet or latrine is an unknown luxury to half of the people on earth. Almost 3 billion individuals do not have access to a decent toilet, and many of them are forced to defecate on the bare ground or queue up to pay for the use of a filthy latrine (UNICEF, 2001). Neglect of sanitation exposes people to unhygienic conditions which leads to dangerous diseases especially diarrhea. The earth summit conference (UNCED, 1999) found diarrhea is the biggest child-killer on earth, taking the lives of 2,2 million children each year. The diarrhea episodes leave millions more children underweight, mentally and physically stunted. Children become easy prey for the deadly diseases and so drained of energy that they are ill-equipped for the primary task of childhood; which is learning.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine causes, effects and remedies of poor sanitary condition in some secondary schools. secondary schools in Egor local Government Area of Edo State form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain a causes, effects and remedies of poor sanitary condition in some secondary schools. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing causes, effects and remedies of poor sanitary condition in some secondary schools
Summary
This study was on causes, effects and remedies of poor sanitary condition in some secondary schools. Three objectives were raised which included: examined the cause and the effect of poor sanitation in school and it’s dangerous 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. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from secondary schools in Egor local Government Area of Edo State. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
The study on the causes, effects, and remedies of poor sanitary conditions in some secondary schools underscores the critical importance of addressing sanitation issues to ensure the well-being and academic success of students. Through a comprehensive analysis, it is evident that inadequate sanitation facilities, lack of hygiene education, and their associated consequences significantly impact the overall learning environment.
Inadequate sanitation infrastructure poses a considerable challenge, leading to increased absenteeism among students, heightened health risks, and diminished academic performance. Moreover, the lack of proper hygiene education exacerbates these issues, perpetuating unhealthy practices and hindering efforts to promote a clean and safe school environment.
Recommendations:
- Schools and relevant authorities should prioritize investments in upgrading sanitation facilities, including toilets, handwashing stations, and waste disposal systems. Adequate infrastructure is essential for maintaining a hygienic environment conducive to learning.
- Implementing comprehensive hygiene education programs is crucial for promoting good practices among students. These programs should cover topics such as handwashing, menstrual hygiene, and sanitation best practices to instill lifelong habits that contribute to overall well-being.
- Schools should establish routine maintenance schedules to ensure that sanitation facilities remain in optimal condition. Prompt repairs and upkeep are essential for sustaining a clean and functional environment for students and staff.
- Collaboration between schools, parents, local communities, and relevant stakeholders is vital for addressing sanitation challenges effectively. Community involvement can facilitate resource mobilization, knowledge sharing, and collective action towards improving sanitary conditions in schools.
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