THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF OPEN DEFECATION ON THE ENVIRONMENT IN IFAKO IJAIYE LGA, LAGOS.

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

Open defecation is a significant environmental and public health issue in Nigeria. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 46 million people in Nigeria practice open defecation, making it the second-largest country globally with such a problem (WHO, 2019). The causes of open defecation in Nigeria are multifaceted, including poverty, lack of sanitation infrastructure, and cultural norms. A study by Oloruntoba et al. (2016) found that the lack of access to clean, private toilets, particularly in rural areas, is a significant factor contributing to the prevalence of open defecation.

The effects of open defecation on the environment are profound and far-reaching. One of the most immediate impacts is the contamination of water sources. When human waste is not properly disposed of, it can seep into groundwater or be washed into rivers and lakes, leading to the spread of waterborne diseases. A study by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) found that in Nigeria, water sources in areas where open defecation is practiced are 2.5 times more likely to be contaminated with fecal bacteria (UNICEF, 2018).

Open defecation also contributes to soil degradation. Human waste contains high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, which can alter the soil’s nutrient balance when not properly managed. This can lead to decreased agricultural productivity, threatening food security in a country where many people rely on subsistence farming. A study by Adewumi et al. (2017) found that in Nigeria, areas with high rates of open defecation had significantly lower soil fertility than areas with proper sanitation facilities.

The environmental impacts of open defecation also have significant social implications. The spread of waterborne diseases can lead to increased healthcare costs and decreased productivity due to illness. Furthermore, the lack of private sanitation facilities can lead to safety and dignity issues, particularly for women and girls. A report by WaterAid (2019) found that in Nigeria, women and girls who lack access to private toilets are at increased risk of harassment and assault.

Efforts to address the issue of open defecation in Nigeria must take into account both its causes and effects. This includes not only building more sanitation facilities but also addressing the social and economic factors that contribute to the practice. Education and awareness campaigns can also play a crucial role in changing behaviors and attitudes towards open defecation.

Furthermore, open defecation is a complex issue with significant environmental and social impacts in Nigeria. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach that includes infrastructure development, education, and social change. Further research is needed to fully understand the specific impacts of open defecation in different regions of Nigeria and to develop effective strategies to combat this issue.

 Statement of the Problem

Open defecation is a pressing issue in Nigeria, with far-reaching implications for the environment and public health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 46 million people in Nigeria practice open defecation, making it the second-largest country globally with such a problem (WHO, 2019). This practice contributes to the contamination of water bodies, leading to waterborne diseases and environmental degradation.

The primary cause of open defecation in Nigeria is the lack of access to adequate sanitation facilities. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that only 39% of the population in Nigeria have access to sanitation services, leaving a significant portion of the population with no choice but to defecate in the open (UNICEF, 2018). This lack of sanitation infrastructure is a result of inadequate investment in public health infrastructure and a lack of prioritization of sanitation issues.

The effects of open defecation on the environment are profound. Open defecation leads to the contamination of water bodies, including rivers and groundwater, which are critical sources of drinking water for many communities. This contamination can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery (WHO, 2019). Furthermore, the practice contributes to soil degradation and pollution, affecting agricultural productivity and biodiversity.

The social implications of open defecation are also significant. The practice is often associated with a lack of dignity and privacy, particularly for women and girls. It can also contribute to social stigma and discrimination, further exacerbating social inequalities (UNICEF, 2018).

Addressing the issue of open defecation in Nigeria requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes increasing investment in sanitation infrastructure, promoting behavior change through education and awareness campaigns, and implementing policies that prioritize sanitation issues.

Furthermore, open defecation in Nigeria is a complex issue with significant environmental, public health, and social implications. Further research is needed to fully understand the extent of the problem and to develop effective strategies for addressing it. 

Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to examine the causes and effects of open defecation on the environment in Ifako Ijaiye LGA, Lagos. The specific objectives of the study are:

1. To identify the primary causes of open defecation in various communities.
2. To examine the direct and indirect effects of open defecation on the environment.
3. To assess the impact of open defecation on public health.
4. To evaluate the interventions aimed at reducing open defecation

 Research Questions

The following research questions were stated for the study:

1. What are the primary causes of open defecation in various communities?
2. What are the direct and indirect effects of open defecation on the environment?
3. How does open defecation impact public health?
4. How effective are the interventions aimed at reducing open defecation?

Research Hypothesis

The hypothetical Statement for study is buttressed below:

Ho: Open defecation has no effect on Public Health.

H₁: Open defecation has effect on Public Health

Significance of the Study

The significance of studying the causes and effects of open defecation on the environment in Nigeria is multi-faceted. Open defecation, the practice of defecating outside without using a toilet, is a major issue in many developing countries, including Nigeria. It is estimated that over 46 million people in Nigeria practice open defecation, making it the second country with the highest number of people practicing open defecation in the world. This practice has severe implications for the environment, public health, and socio-economic development.

The primary cause of open defecation in Nigeria is the lack of access to proper sanitation facilities. Many rural areas and impoverished urban communities lack the infrastructure for proper waste disposal. This is often due to a combination of factors such as poverty, lack of government investment in sanitation infrastructure, and cultural norms. The lack of education about the importance of proper sanitation also contributes to the prevalence of open defecation.

The environmental impact of open defecation is significant. When human waste is not properly disposed of, it can contaminate water sources, leading to the spread of waterborne diseases. This contamination can also harm local ecosystems, affecting plant and animal life. The nutrients in human waste, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, can cause excessive growth of algae in water bodies, leading to a decrease in oxygen levels which can harm aquatic life.

Open defecation also has serious public health implications. It is a major contributor to the spread of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea, which are among the leading causes of death in children under five in Nigeria. These diseases are spread when fecal matter contaminates food or water sources, a common occurrence in areas where open defecation is practiced.

The socio-economic impact of open defecation is also significant. The time spent looking for a place to defecate and the subsequent illnesses caused by open defecation can lead to lost productivity and income. Moreover, the cost of treating waterborne diseases places a significant burden on the healthcare system.

The study of the causes and effects of open defecation in Nigeria is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat this issue. By understanding the root causes and the far-reaching impacts, policymakers, NGOs, and communities can work together to improve sanitation infrastructure, educate the public about the importance of proper waste disposal, and ultimately improve public health and environmental sustainability in Nigeria.

• Scope of the Study

The study examines the causes and effects of open defecation on the environment in Ifako Ijaiye LGA, Lagos. The study is limited to Public health workers in Ifako Ijaiye LGA, Lagos.

Operational Definition of Terms

• Causes: These are the reasons or conditions that lead to a particular outcome or event. In the context of open defecation, causes could include lack of access to proper sanitation facilities, poverty, or cultural norms.
• Effect: This refers to the result or consequence of an action or other cause. In this case, the effects of open defecation could include environmental pollution, spread of diseases, and degradation of public health.
• Open Defecation: This is the practice of defecating outside in open environments rather than into a designated toilet. This can occur in both rural and urban areas, often due to lack of access to sanitation facilities.
• Environment: This refers to the natural world, including the land, water, air, plants, and animals, especially as affected by human activities. In the context of open defecation, the environment can be negatively impacted through pollution of water sources, soil contamination, and harm to wildlife.
• Public Health: This is the science and practice of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. This can be achieved through promoting healthy lifestyles, researching disease and injury prevention, and detecting, preventing and responding to infectious diseases. In relation to open defecation, public health can be severely compromised due to the spread of diseases like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.
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 THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF OPEN DEFECATION ON THE ENVIRONMENT IN IFAKO IJAIYE LGA, LAGOS.