AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF UNSANITARY SEWAGE DISPOSAL IN RURAL AREAS OF CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Sewage is the term used to describe the wastewater that is released from residential and commercial buildings. Sewage is commonly transported through large conduits called sewers, in the form of a little liquid that has solid particles dispersed within it. The waste water can be either redirected to a specified site for recycling or disposed of at a significant distance from human settlements to avoid the spread of diseases (Ask, 2019). Sewage is a complex mixture of nutrients, suspended sediments, pathogens, dissolved oxygen compounds, and other contaminants, each of which has specific environmental impacts (Odetola & Awoniyi, 2019). Efficient sewage management is crucial due to its composition of unwanted water originating from residential and commercial premises. 

Conversely, sewage disposal pertains to the process of securely getting rid of wastewater from home and commercial origins. The wastewater, which often contains a liquid component along with small solid particles, is transported through large pipes called sewers to ensure its environmentally responsible disposal (Ask, 2019). The wastewater is either directed to a designated spot for reuse or discarded in a distant area to avoid the transmission of illnesses. Ensuring the appropriate disposal of sewage waste is essential to protect public health, limit the transmission of diseases, and reduce water pollution resulting from sewage pollutants. The challenges associated with sewage disposal have become a prominent issue in urban areas due to the increase in human population and urbanisation. The occurrence of sewage-related problems in coastal locations globally is significant, as these places accommodate about 60% of the global human population. The discharge of domestic wastewater is widely acknowledged as a significant threat to coastal habitats on a global scale (GPA, 2021). The environmental effects associated with the release of household sewage are often limited to nearby areas, although they can have cross-border ramifications in some situations. 

In order to dispose or reuse unclean sewage, it is usually essential to expose the wastewater to some type of preparation or treatment, taking into account its qualities and the criteria for disposal or reuse. Usually, the treatment of household wastewater mainly aims to remove total suspended particles and 20°C BOD5, which are the two most important metrics of concern. The degree of treatment provided to the wastewater is mostly defined by the effluent standards established by regulatory agencies for the discharge of treated wastewater into a river or onto land. 

Sewage disposal systems in numerous rural communities are influenced by cultural traditions and beliefs. For example, cultural norms or misconceptions regarding the effectiveness of modern sanitation measures may lead to a lack of awareness or opposition towards them. The presence of resistance can hinder the acceptance and implementation of improved sanitary practices and technology (Njie et al., 2022). Moreover, the absence of education and knowledge of the health hazards linked to unhygienic sewage disposal exacerbates the issue.Therefore, a survey will be conducted in order to investigate the causes and consequences of unsanitary sewage disposal in rural areas of Cameroon.

Statement of the Problem

In rural areas, the improper disposal of sewage is a major problem that leads to serious environmental and public health issues. Rural areas in Cameroon frequently encounter difficulties concerning insufficient infrastructure and resources, which worsen the issues linked to sewage management.Rural populations sometimes lack adequate waste management infrastructure and instead resort to impromptu or rudimentary means of disposal, such as open pits or direct dumping into water bodies (Ndze, 2021). Moreover, rural communities frequently lack understanding and instruction regarding appropriate sanitation practices, leading to the adoption of incorrect waste disposal methods (Ewang, 2022). The economic limitations experienced by numerous rural households also restrict their capacity to invest in sufficient sanitary infrastructure, hence exacerbating the issue (Tabe, 2021). Moreover, the repercussions of unhygienic sewage disposal are significant and extensive. Inadequate sewage disposal practices result in soil erosion, which adversely impacts agricultural output and causes financial losses for rural farmers (Ngwa, 2022). 

Research has indicated that rural regions in Cameroon have elevated rates of these illnesses, which are clearly linked to insufficient sanitation infrastructure (Ngwa et al., 2021).Hence, it is in the light of these that the study seeks to investigate the causes and consequences of unsanitary sewage disposal in rural areas of Cameroon.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the causes and consequences of unsanitary sewage disposal in rural areas of Cameroon. Specifically, the study will;

Assess the underlying causes of unsanitary sewage disposal in rural areas of Cameroon.

Assess the environmental consequences of unsanitary sewage disposal in the selected rural areas.

Assess the health implications of unsanitary sewage disposal on rural communities.

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

What are the underlying causes of unsanitary sewage disposal in rural areas of Cameroon?

What are the environmental consequences of unsanitary sewage disposal in selected rural areas?

What are the health implications of unsanitary sewage disposal on rural communities?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following hypotheses will validate this study;

H01: There are no significant causes of unsanitary sewage disposal in rural areas of Cameroon.

Ha1: There are significant causes of unsanitary sewage disposal in rural areas of Cameroon.

H02: Unsanitary sewage disposal has no significant consequences in rural areas of Cameroon.

Ha2: Unsanitary sewage disposal has a significant consequences in rural areas of Cameroon.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study will offer crucial insights into the correlation between unhygienic sewage disposal and health problems in rural regions. This study findings will also assist public health officials in identifying the precise health hazards linked to insufficient sewage systems, including the transmission of waterborne diseases, gastrointestinal infections, and vector-borne diseases. In addition, the findings will assist in the creation of focused health interventions, boosting illness surveillance, and improving preventative measures to reduce health risks. Moreover, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review.

1.7 Scope of the study

The scope of this study is boarded on the causes and consequences of unsanitary sewage disposal in rural areas of Cameroon. Empirically, the study will assess the underlying causes of unsanitary sewage disposal in rural areas of Cameroon, the environmental consequences of unsanitary sewage disposal in the selected rural areas and the health implications of unsanitary sewage disposal on rural communities.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to residents of Cameroon.

1.8 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents.In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Waste: Any material, substance, or byproduct that is discarded, unwanted, or considered to have no further use.

Sewage: Wastewater that is generated from domestic, industrial, and commercial activities, which typically contains human waste (feces and urine), household waste (such as detergents and food residues), and water used for washing, bathing, and cleaning.

Sewage disposal: The process of collecting, treating, and safely discharging or recycling sewage to prevent pollution and protect public health.

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