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CAUSES, EFFECTS AND REMEDIES OF POOR SANITARY CONDITION IN SOME SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Poor sanitary conditions refer to environments or situations where there is inadequate cleanliness and hygiene, posing risks to human health. This can include contaminated water sources, improper waste disposal, lack of proper sewage systems, and unhygienic living conditions. In such environments, infectious diseases like cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea can spread easily, leading to increased morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. Poor sanitary conditions can also contribute to environmental degradation and undermine overall community well-being. Addressing these conditions requires comprehensive measures to improve sanitation infrastructure, promote hygiene practices, and ensure access to clean water.

All over the world, poor environmental quality is increasingly recognized as a major threat to social and economic development and even to human survival (Acheampong, 2010). The impacts of environmental deterioration are severe on developing countries thus hindering and undermining their development (Bello, 2007). Environmental sanitation is the practice of collection, reuse and disposal of human excreta and domestic wastes with the overall objective to protect human health (Vivienne, 2014),. In an attempt to keep the environment clean, it is the human lives that are paramount. The concept of environmental sanitation entails the control of water supplies, excreta disposal, waste water disposal, refuse disposal, vectors of diseases, housing conditions, food supplies and the safety of the working environment (Acheampong, 2010). Mmom and Mmom (2011) opined that effective environmental sanitation in cities is a function of positive environmental behavior and availability of facilities and services. Atasoy (2005) stated that environmental problems have become globalized and have reached the stage where they present a threat to life on earth. He further stated that the situation has led to the review of people’s relationship with nature, their attitudes and behaviors towards the environment, the duties and responsibilities assumed by the individual towards nature, and the redefinition of ecological culture and environmental awareness. In a simple parlance, environmental sanitation is the sum total of activities embarked upon by people to promote healthy living conditions. This view is complemented by Daramola (2012), Afon and Faniran (2013) that availability of adequate environmental sanitation facilities and enabling environmental sanitation policies positively influence the achievement of a healthy living environment..

Environmental sanitation is a major developmental issue on the agenda of Governments and development agencies worldwide. In Nigeria, adequate environmental sanitation has not been strictly adhered to. Its practices in the country are characterized by lack of basic amenities and poor sanitation behavior thus having serious consequences for health on citizens. The living environment in the country is well polluted owing to social misdemeanors. It is also one of the identifiable sectors that keeps receiving attention from researchers, NGOs and international organizations such as the UN and the World Bank. At the UN Summit on Sustainable Development, held in New York in 2015, world leaders adopted the post-2015 development agenda to halve the proportion of the global population lacking adequate sanitation by 2030. To meet this ambitious target, the United Nations believes that coordinated action is required, not just from governments, but also from various actors and players in the sanitation sector. The need for collaboration and partnerships between communities and sanitation agencies of all kinds does not need further emphasis (Manase et al., 2004). The quality of the environment is essential for the health of both adults and children. According to WHO (2013), more than 2.4 billion people in the world currently lack access to adequate environmental sanitation and are forced to dispose of their excreta in unimproved and unsanitary conditions. Majority of these people are found in Africa and other developing countries of the world. Ekong (2015) provided that environmental sanitation problems are responsible for about 30% of the burden of diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. The impacts of poor environmental sanitation situations are severe on Nigeria thus hindering and undermining its development.

Poor sanitation record has prompted a number of studies in the area of environmental performance (Ayee and Crook, 2003; Awortwi, 2004; Owusu, 2010; Salifu et al., 2005; Saywell and Hunt, 1999; King et al., 2001; Obirih-Opareh and Post, 2002; Oduro-Kwarteng, 2011; Oteng-Ababio, 2010; Mansour and Esseku, 2017). According to extant literature, the dysfunctional environmental sanitation across the world and particularly in the study area, can be linked to inadequate sanitation facilities, unhygienic sanitation practices and lack of political will to deal with sanitation among others. These scenarios have in turn become a recipe for disaster in urban centers.

Poor sanitary conditions in secondary schools across Nigeria are a pressing issue with multifaceted causes, wide-ranging effects, and potential remedies. The causes of inadequate sanitation in these schools often stem from a combination of factors, including insufficient funding for infrastructure development, lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities, overcrowding, and limited awareness about proper hygiene practices. Additionally, inconsistent maintenance of existing facilities and ineffective waste management contribute to the deterioration of sanitary conditions. These factors create an environment where students and staff are exposed to health risks, hindering their overall well-being and academic performance.

The effects of poor sanitary conditions in secondary schools are significant and far-reaching. Students are particularly vulnerable to waterborne diseases, such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever, which can lead to frequent absenteeism, decreased concentration in class, and ultimately, lower academic achievement. Moreover, the lack of proper sanitation facilities, such as toilets and handwashing stations, can compromise students' dignity and privacy, especially for menstruating girls. Beyond health implications, the unsanitary environment in schools can also perpetuate social inequalities, as students from disadvantaged backgrounds are disproportionately affected by inadequate sanitation facilities.

Addressing the issue of poor sanitary conditions in secondary schools requires a comprehensive approach that tackles both the underlying causes and immediate effects. Remedies may include improving infrastructure through targeted investments in sanitation facilities, ensuring access to clean water sources, implementing hygiene education programs to promote proper sanitation practices among students and staff, and establishing effective monitoring mechanisms to ensure the maintenance of facilities over time. Additionally, fostering partnerships between government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and local communities can help mobilize resources and expertise to create sustainable solutions for improving sanitary conditions in Nigerian secondary schools.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Many secondary schools are facing significant challenges due to poor sanitary conditions, impacting the health, safety, and academic performance of students and staff. Despite efforts to address this issue, the root causes remain unclear, and the consequences are profound. There is a pressing need to understand the factors contributing to inadequate sanitation facilities, hygiene practices, and infrastructure maintenance within secondary schools. Additionally, the effects of these conditions on the health and well-being of students, as well as their academic outcomes, require thorough investigation. Without effective remedies, the persistence of poor sanitary conditions threatens to perpetuate health risks and hinder educational achievement. Therefore, a comprehensive examination of this issue is imperative to develop targeted interventions and promote a conducive learning environment for secondary school students.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objective of the study id to determine causes, effects and remedies of poor sanitary condition in some secondary schools

Specific aims are:

1. To investigate the causes of poor sanitary conditions in selected secondary schools.

2. To assess the effects of poor sanitary conditions on the health and academic performance of students in secondary schools.

3. To propose effective remedies to improve sanitary conditions in secondary schools.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS:

1. What are the primary factors contributing to poor sanitary conditions in secondary schools?

2. How does poor sanitation impact the health and academic performance of students in secondary schools?

3. What strategies can be implemented to enhance sanitary conditions and promote a healthier environment in secondary schools?

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES:

Hypothesis i

H0: There is no significant relationship between inadequate funding and poor sanitary conditions in secondary schools.

H1:  Inadequate funding is significantly associated with poor sanitary conditions in secondary schools.

 Hypothesis ii 

H0: There is no significant correlation between poor sanitary conditions and the prevalence of health issues among students in secondary schools.

H1: Poor sanitary conditions are significantly correlated with the prevalence of health issues among students in secondary schools.

   Hypothesis iii

H0: Implementing sanitation education programs has no effect on improving sanitary conditions in secondary schools.

H1: Implementing sanitation education programs significantly improves sanitary conditions in secondary schools.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study will investigate the causes, effects, and potential remedies for poor sanitary conditions in select secondary schools.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study encompasses investigating the causes, effects, and potential remedies of poor sanitary conditions in select secondary schools. It will examine factors contributing to inadequate sanitation facilities, the impacts on student health and academic performance, as well as viable solutions to improve sanitary conditions within the school environment. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issues surrounding sanitation in secondary schools and propose actionable recommendations for improvement.

1.8 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

Limitations of the study includes: potential bias due to limited sample size or geographic scope, reliance on self-reported data which could be inaccurate, difficulty in generalizing findings to all secondary schools in Nigeria due to specific contextual factors, challenges in accessing certain schools or obtaining comprehensive data, and potential limitations in the effectiveness of proposed remedies due to systemic issues beyond the scope of the study.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Sanitation: Refers to the provision of facilities and services for the safe disposal of human waste, access to clean water, and promotion of hygiene practices to prevent the spread of diseases.

2. Poor Sanitary Conditions: Refers to inadequate or substandard sanitation facilities and practices within secondary school premises, including lack of clean water, improper waste disposal, and inadequate hygiene education.

3. Secondary Schools: Educational institutions that provide education to students typically between the ages of 11 and 18 years old, often divided into junior and senior secondary levels, as per the Nigerian educational system.

4. Hygiene Practices: Refers to behaviors and routines aimed at maintaining cleanliness and preventing disease transmission, such as handwashing, proper waste disposal, and personal grooming.

5. Disease Transmission: The process by which infectious agents are spread from one person to another, often facilitated by poor sanitation and hygiene practices, leading to the outbreak and spread of diseases within school environments.

6. Environmental Health: The branch of public health concerned with understanding how environmental factors affect human health and well-being, including the impact of poor sanitation on students' health outcomes and overall academic performance.

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