Public Latrine System and Its Associated Problems in Awka Capital Territory
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
The goal of this study is to examine the problems associated with public latrine system in Awka capital territory with a view to developing a strategy for enhancing effectiveness and efficiency in Awka territory.
In order to achieve the stated goal, the following objectives are pursued:
- To identify the problems associated with public latrine.
- To identify how public latrine pollutes the air and water source.
- To proffer solutions to proper cleaning and maintenance of public latrine.
- To identify the health implication of public latrine and proffer solution to the offensive odour it emits.
- To assess the existing toilet facilities within Awka urban to know whether there are problems being encountered by the users and make solutions.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
THE NATURE OF PUBLIC LATRINE
The term “pit latrine” describes virtually any system that accumulates faecal matter, urine and possibly other materials over a period of more than a few days.
Open defecation is the practice whereby people both young and old openly and indiscriminately discharge human excreta and urine not minding the environmental health hazard and offensive odour it emits into the environment. The design of these systems varies considerably from place to place due to user habits, cultural preferences, available building materials and terrain. A comprehensive literature review of issues relating to design, operation, maintenance health, social and management aspects of latrine is presented in cotton, A., franceys, R. Rickford, J., and Saywell, D. (1995).
In general, latrines are allowed to fill to within a certain proximity to the top of the pit (eg. 300mm) and then either emptied by pumping out the contents (or in the case of solid waste, digging out or buried over. In the latter case, a new latrine is dug nearby, and the super, structure moved or rebuilt. A period of stabilization may be allowed before latrine contents are removed, although this is not often the case since alternative sanitation facilities are not usually available where pit latrines are to be dug/pumped out and reused as recorded by franceys, R., Pickford, J., and Reed, R. (1992).
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Environmental pollution started centuries ago, way back in the ancient times. Many events which occurred then have continued in these modern times to make it a basic problem in cities.
Environmental problems arise in most of our big cities due to failure from rural areas to urban centres in the country, so that their standard of living would be improved. These results to over population, which leads to urban problems as overcrowding, housing problems, diseases, unemployment and other environmental problems.
CHAPTER THREE
DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA
BRIEF HISTORY OF AWKA
Awka was famous for metal working and its blacksmiths before the 20th century and were prized throughout the region for making farming implements guns and tools. Before the inception of British rule, Awka was governed by titled men known as Ozo and Ndichie who were accomplished individuals in the community. They held general meetings or Izu Awka either at the residence of the oldest man (Otochal Awka) or at a place designated by him. He was the Nne Uzu or master known blacksmith, whether he know the trade or not, for the only master known to Awka people was the master craftsman, the Nne Uzu.
In modern times, Awka has adapted to the republican system and is currently divided into two local government areas, Awka North and Awka South with local representatives. Awka should not be confused with Awka Etiti which is a own in Idenili south local government area chat is often mistaken for the main capital. Today Awka is the capital of Anambra state of Nigeria which posses the slogan as the “light of the Nation”.
Awka comprises of 33 villages. Awka people as in traditional times travel far and wide and have a large Diaspora primarily in the U.K and in the USA.
Over the years, Awka town has attracted people from other states in Nigeria and has a significant number of immigrants from northern Nigeria, Delta State, and even Camerron and Ghana.
LOCATION OF THE STUDY AREA
Awka lies between latitude 60. 062 and 60.151 N and longitude 70.051 and 70.151 E. It is a town in Awka south local government area in Anambra state which is bounded in the North by Enugu-Ukwu, Enugu-Agidi Nofia, East by Nibo, Mgbakwu and Nise, West and South of Enugu State.
CHAPTER FOUR
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
In order to effectively collect, locate and analyze data required for the study, some procedure were followed to locate the problems associated with public latrine in Awka capital and to achieve a means of providing solutions to the problems. These procedures are the foundation of the methodological approach for the research.
THE RESEARCH DESIGN
The study adopted the sample survey type of research. This took the form of a cross sectional survey. This implies that selection was made in such a way that the sample is a representation of the entire population. In this case, the study was carried out at selected neighbourhoods data cuts across Awka urban. For the actualization of the objectives of this study, the description of cross sectional survey was adopted. This type of survey is capable of generating data to answer research questions or to explain the relationship between and among variables associated with the main focus of the study.
SOURCES OF DATA
The sources of research information are of two broad sources namely, primary data and secondary data.
CHAPTER FIVE
DATA ANALYSIS AND SURVEY
ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION OF RESPONSES
In the preceding chapter we focused on the issue of data collection. In this chapter, we are going to analyze the data obtained from the questionnaire. A total number of 200 questionnaire were distributed to the respondents where the research was conducted, only 150 copies were returned. Thirty copies were wrongly filled and 20 copies were not returned. The questions analyzed formed the basis upon which the findings would be made.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
From the questionnaire and observational study conducted, we were able to determine the problems associated with public latrine, get a design and hygiene methods used to maintain public latrines in a high density city like Awka. The survey comprised selected households, knowing the different type of toilets people make use of and how they take care of them. Major percentage of people make use of poor flushed latrine, a less percentage use odourless earth closet while the least percentage use water closet in their homes. A variety of makeshift squat-hole covers like iron, sheets, cardboard etc are used by those who cannot afford san-plats to reduce fly and odour problems. Most squat-hole covers were littered with faecal matter and some presented risk of invasive injury due to sharp edges. Few households use ventilated improved latrines (water closet) whilst the remaining percentage make use of their neighbour’s latrine or go to the bush. A lot of problems like poverty and management of building materials and land space significantly influenced the type and structural condition of toilets built in Awka.
The disposal of young children’s faeces, solid wastes, wash-water and the clearing of pits is a challenge that contaminates the environment and transmits diseases. More than half of the respondents stressed that they had not received any information as regarding health education and hygienic maintenance of the latrine. As such, there is need for a hygienic education programme to promote awareness of appropriate sanitation and behavioural change.
AVOIDING RISKS OF DISEASE OUTBREAK
The hygiene promoters have a list of risky behaviours that they discuss in village meetings and other health programmes, mentioning why these behaviours are risky. The idea is that building latrines and wells is only a part of the solution to decreasing incidences of water borne/hygiene related diseases. The risks listed below are challenges that must be carefully considered:
- Open defecation (aka “bush shitting”)
- Not washing your hands
- Leaving dishes on the floor
OPEN DEFECATION
This is what a villager must do if they do not have any sort of a latrine. Many villages do not have latrines, what they do is open defecation. Once faeces is left in the open, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and flies are also free to come and go from your food to the pile. Therefore, they transfer bacteria from faeces to your food. So if you have a latrine, and your neighbor doesn’t, you’re not safe from the flies. The way forward is to start building latrine, both in public and private places.
NOT WASHING YOUR HANDS
There is a variety of risky hand washing habit. The most basic risky behavior is not washing your hands at all. Hand washing stations should be built outside your latrine for use after going to the toilet. One should also wash hands after doing dirty job or holding any dirty object that can contaminate someone.
LEAVING DISHES ON THE GROUND
Most people do their cooking outside and as a result of that, they may leave their washed dishes outside on the ground. Flies can perch on them and even chicken, goats and dogs could put mouth on them. So it is best to build a dish rack to dry and store your dishes after using and washing them or better still pack them inside immediately after wash.
RECOMMENDATION
Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations should be put into consideration to ensure a safe, healthy, clean, and nice looking environment that is conducive for everyone to live in.
- Public latrines should be provided in markets and bus terminals.
- It should be kept very clean to avoid the spread of diseases in our homes and in public places.
- The latrines should be well designed in such a way that it will be used to collect urine and faeces to farm as manure after sanitization.
- The provision and organization of sanitation services should be of paramount importance and main focus with particular emphasis in Awka main town.
- Based on our findings, it is best advised to put people in charge of latrines built in public places like markets to ensure good maintenance and a neat surrounding.
- There should be an organization of public health campaign and lectures on how best to keep the environment clean and the reasons for doing so. This could be organized by the government or even private individuals.
CONCLUSION
The city of Awka like many other cities in developing countries is facing a number of environmental problems coupled with the population growth and poor infrastructure. One of the most burning problems deals with the provision of public latrine in such places as markets and bus stations. The public latrines in the city are obviously not enough. The lack of latrine in the vicinity of markets and the bus stations makes merchants and clients use the bush side and riverside for defecation and urination.
There is a need for a sound philosophy of environmental planning armed at radical redirection of urban growth and creation of a total environment which satisfies human values.
From the research, we concluded that the location of public latrine in some places helps to spread more diseases and contaminate water in those locations especially in open public latrines. It also pollutes the air in that area and that is why good sanitization of human excreta is necessary because it serves an important role in preventing the spread of diseases and protecting both human and environmental health.
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