Abstract:
The study was carried out in Aboabo Zongo communities in the Asokore Mampong
Municipality in the Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. It aimed at
investigating the state of sanitation and health of people living in the area. Five key
objectives drove the study: explaining the nature of environmental sanitation,
identifying root causes of poor environmental sanitation, ascertaining effects of the
phenomenon on health, assessing the nature of intervention put in place and exploring
best practices in sanitation management. To achieve the objectives of this study, the
descriptive research design precisely the case study design was adopted. However,
the approach to inquiry was explicitly qualitative. Convenience and purposive
sampling techniques were used to select all total of twenty (20) participants from the
communities. Semi-structured interview guide and observation guide were the data
collection instruments used. Data were analysed thematically and descriptively. The
study revealed the nature of environmental sanitation using three indicators: water
systems; toilet, lavatories and urinal systems and drainage, sewage and solid waste
systems. The study also showed that attitudes and behaviour among other factors
remain the greatest determinants of poor environmental sanitation in the area. It was
seen that contraction of hygiene and sanitation related diseases and poor access to
healthcare were the major effects of poor environmental sanitation on the health of
people. The study also identified the diverse interventions put in place by the
Assembly in curbing the phenomenon. It was revealed that public education,
installation and treatment of sanitation facilities, commitment to change in behaviour
and attitude and establishment and compliance of legal systems constitute sanitation
management practices that can improve the health of people living Aboabo Zongo
communities in the Asokore Mampong Municipality. The study recommends the use
of sanitation laws as measures to check sanitation practices. It also puts forward that
opinion leaders join environmental sanitation campaigns. The study proposes a
collaborative effort of health professionals, residents and stakeholders of
environment, health and sanitation in sensitizing the public in sanitation and hygiene
related controversies.
Description:
A thesis in the Department of Social Studies,
Faculty of Social Science, submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Philosophy
(Social Studies)
in the University of Education, Winneba
