INTRODUCTION
Yakurr Local Government is home to the Yakurr people, part of the Negro-Bantu ethnic group. Historically traditional, they now exhibit both rural and urban characteristics, especially in towns like Ugep, Ekori, Mkpani, and Nko. Waste management practices have evolved from communal open lavatories and indiscriminate dumping in depressions or open fields to a complex matrix involving varied waste types and volumes due to increased urbanization.
However, Yakurr remains predominantly rural. Practices such as bathing and defecating in rivers, constructing houses without toilets, and disposing of waste in streams persist. Even in urban centers like Ugep, questions remain about the operational efficiency of agencies like the Ugep Urban Development Agency (UUDA). The extent to which urbanization has modified traditional practices is part of the study’s focus.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Despite noticeable urbanization in parts of Yakurr, the region remains predominantly rural. In both rural and urban areas, open defecation, use of rivers and streams as toilets, and indiscriminate waste disposal are common. The study seeks to understand these practices and their implications on environmental health, particularly water and land contamination.
JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY
Effective waste management is crucial for ecological balance and public health. Improper disposal leads to unsanitary environments, mental health issues, and contamination of land, air, and water. The study is particularly important for environmental health personnel responsible for monitoring and controlling waste-related risks.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
- To identify the disposal methods employed by residents.
- To examine differences in waste management between urban and rural settings.
- To assess how human waste is managed at the household level.
HYPOTHESIS
H0: Waste management practices have no significant epidemiological implications for residents of Yakurr Local Government Area.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Scholars like Aatamila et al. (2010), Xiao et al. (2007), and Yongsi et al. (2008) have documented how poor waste management leads to health issues such as respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal infections, and vector-borne diseases. In rural Nigeria, the absence of a structured waste policy exacerbates the issue, despite awareness among residents (Friday & Iderawumi, 2011).
Heavy metals from industrial waste and toxic substances have been linked to carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic effects (Ubong & Gobo, 2000). Healthcare and domestic waste mixing in dump sites also increases infection risks (World Bank, 2005).
METHODOLOGY
- Design: Field-based exploratory survey
- Study Area: Yakurr LGA, including Ugep, Ekori, Mkpani, Nko, Agoi, Inyima, Asiga, and Idomi
- Population: All households, with a focus on women’s roles in domestic waste management
- Sampling: Multistage sampling; 20% household representation per cluster
- Instruments: Structured questionnaire
- Analysis: Data analyzed using ANOVA
RESULTS
Table 1: Residents’ Response on Waste Management Practices
| S/No | Waste Management Practice | Agree | Strongly Agree | Disagree | Strongly Disagree | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Burning/Incineration | 60 | 68 | 35 | 30 | 193 |
| 2 | Open Field Waste Dump | 67 | 70 | 32 | 30 | 199 |
| 3 | Riverside/Aquatic Waste Dump | 55 | 64 | 45 | 31 | 195 |
| 4 | Open Public Toilet Systems | 30 | 36 | 70 | 62 | 198 |
| 5 | Streams/Riverside Toilets | 36 | 42 | 65 | 51 | 194 |
| 6 | Fecal Indoor Bucket System | 20 | 16 | 80 | 84 | 200 |
| 7 | Plastic Wrapper System | 10 | 05 | 91 | 93 | 199 |
ANOVA Summary
| Source of Variation | SS | df | MS | F | P-value | F crit |
| Between Groups | 11.714 | 6 | 1.952 | 0.00257 | 1 | 2.57271 |
| Within Groups | 15933 | 21 | 758.714 | |||
| Total | 15944.71 | 27 |
Decision: Since F-critical > F-tabulated at a 0.05 significance level, the null hypothesis is rejected. Waste management practices in Yakurr LGA have a significant epidemiological implication.
DISCUSSION
Improper waste disposal has caused environmental degradation and increased disease incidence in Yakurr. Open burning and dumping in water bodies compromise both land and water quality. Studies (Kazaure, 2016; Achalu, 2004; Ibrahim et al., 2019) confirm that such practices contribute to floods, vector proliferation, and poor air quality. The widespread use of outdated toilet systems and lack of structured waste management amplify the risks.
CONCLUSION
The study reveals that poor waste management practices are widespread in Yakurr LGA, posing serious epidemiological risks. Factors include ignorance, poverty, and lack of regulatory enforcement. Effective policies and community education campaigns are needed to address these issues.
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Questionnaire instruments for investigation of waste management practices and its Epidermiological implication in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State. By Bassey Emogo Awara.