The impacts of inadequate sanitation on the health of children in rural areas. Case studies: Dandu and Wurochekke communities, Yola south, Adamawa state.

Abstract

This research was conducted in two communities; Dandu and Wuro Chekke, Yola south, Adamawa state. The aim of the study was to investigate the availability of sanitation infrastructures and to find out the relationship between sanitation and health among children in the two rural areas of the state. This was done by conducting interviews and making observation of 50 respondents who were mainly mothers and their environment. The socio-economic status and sanitation practices of the respondents, water supply source, and availability of health care centers in the areas and some of environmental conditions of their communities were included in the interviews and the observation process. The factors were considered in other to find out if there was any relationship between the factors mentioned above and the vii occurrence of malaria, typhoid and intestinal worm infestation in the children under the age of five. Results from the study were analyzed using charts mostly and the results showed that in the two communities, there was hardly any link between the factors that were used to measure sanitation or the standard of living and the diseases in the children. There the hypothesis of this study which is that “There is a relationship between the health of a child and the level of sanitation, water quality and low income in rural areas” was not proven due to time limitations and also lack of records showing disease occurrences in children less than five years in the communities.