Analysing Environmental Risks and Perceptions of Risks to Assess Health and Well-being in Poor Areas of Abidjan
This study analyzed environmental health risks and
people-s perceptions of risks related to waste management in poor
settlements of Abidjan, to develop integrated solutions for health and
well-being improvement. The trans-disciplinary approach used relied
on remote sensing, a geographic information system (GIS),
qualitative and quantitative methods such as interviews and a
household survey (n=1800). Mitigating strategies were then
developed using an integrated participatory stakeholder workshop.
Waste management deficiencies resulting in lack of drainage and
uncontrolled solid and liquid waste disposal in the poor settlements
lead to severe environmental health risks. Health problems were
caused by direct handling of waste, as well as through broader
exposure of the population. People in poor settlements had little
awareness of health risks related to waste management in their
community and a general lack of knowledge pertaining to sanitation
systems. This unfortunate combination was the key determinant
affecting the health and vulnerability. For example, an increased
prevalence of malaria (47.1%) and diarrhoea (19.2%) was observed
in the rainy season when compared to the dry season (32.3% and
14.3%). Concerted and adapted solutions that suited all the
stakeholders concerned were developed in a participatory workshop
to allow for improvement of health and well-being.
[1] B. Dzwairo, Z. Hoko, D. Love & E. Guzha, Assessment of the impacts
of pit latrines on groundwater quality in rural areas: A case study from
Marondera district, Zimbabwe. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts
A/B/C 31(15-16) (2006), pp.779-788.
[2] K.-M. Kapepula, G. Colson, K. Sabri, P. Thonart, A Multiple Criteria
Analysis for Household Solid Waste Management in the Urban
Community of Dakar. Waste Management 27 (2007), pp.1690-1705.
[3] C. M. N. Souza, C. M. De Freitas, L. R. S. Moraes, Discourses on
Sanitation-Health-Environment Relationship in the Legislation: An
Analysis of Concepts and Lines of Direction, Eng. Sanit. Ambient. 12
(4) (2007), pp. 371-379.
[4] M. Kosek, C. Bern, R. L. Guerrant, The Global Burden of Diarrhoeal
Disease, as Estimated from Studies Published between 1992 and 2000.
Bull of the WHO 81 (2003), pp.197-204.
[5] T. Clasen, J. Brown, O. Suntura, S. Collin, Safe Household Water
Treatment and Storage Using Ceramic Drip Filters: A Randomised
Controlled Trial in Bolivia. Wat. Sci. & Tech. 50 (2004), pp. 111-115.
[6] D. Cutler and G. Miller, The Role of Public Health Improvements in
Health Advances: The Twentieth-Century United States. Demography
42 (2005), pp.1-22.
[7] WHO. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Links to Health Facts and Figures
- updated November 2004. Water Sanitation and Health (WSH) (2004),
Vol. 2005.
[8] A. O. Afon, and A. Okewole, Estimating the Quantity of Solid Waste
Generation in Oyo, Nigeria. Waste Management and Research 25
(2007), pp.371-379.
[9] J.-E Hardoy, D. Mitli, D. Satterthwaite, Environmental Problems in an
Urbanizing World - Finding Solutions for Cities in Africa, Asia and
Latin America. Earthscan publications LTD: London 15 (2001)
[10] K. Boadi, M. Kuitunen, K. Raheem, K. Hanninen, Urbanisation without
Development: Environmental and Health Implications in African Cities.
Environment, Development and Sustainability 7 (2005), pp. 465-500.
[11] F. Akindès, Cote d'Ivoire: Socio-political crisis, "Ivoirité" and the course
of history, in: African Sociological Review 7(2) (2003), pp. 11-28.
[12] K. E. Sawaya, L. G. Olmanson, N. J. Heinert, Extending Satellite
Remote Sensing to Local Scales: Land and Water Resource Monitoring
Using High-Resolution Imagery. Remote Sensing of Environment 88
(2003), pp.144-156.
[13] D. Stow, A. Lopez, C. Lippitt, S. Hinton, J. Weeks, Object-Based
Classification of Residential Land Use within Accra, Ghana Based on
Quickbird Satellite Data. International Journal of Remote Sensing 28
(2007), pp. 5167-5173.
[14] R. Haydn, G. W. Dalke, J. Henkel, J. E. Bare, In Int. Symp. Remote
Sensing of Arid and Semi-arid Lands, Cairo, Egypt (1982), pp. 599-616.
[15] R. McNamee, Efficiency of Two-Phase Designs for Prevalence
Estimation. International Journal of Epidemiology 32 (2003), pp. 1072-
1078.
[16] F. S. Makoni, J. Ndamba, P. A.Mbati, G. Manase, Impact of Waste
Disposal on Health of a Poor Urban Community in Zimbambwe. East
African Medical Journal 81 (2004), pp.422-426.
[17] O. Boiral, Tacit Knowledge and Environmental Management Long
Range Planning 35 (2002), pp.291-317.
[18] H. Francos; and M, Bituro. Innovative Way for Solid Waste
Management in Dar-es-Salaam: Toward Stakeholder Partnerships.
Habitat International 23 (1999), pp.351- 361.
[19] F. Richard, A. Weitz, Public-Private Community Partnerships in
Infrastructure for the Poor. Journal of International Development 15
(2003), pp.1083 - 1098.
[20] F. N.Addo-Yobo, A. Mensor, Households: Passive Users or Active
Managers? The Case of Solid Waste Management in Accra, Ghana.
International Development Planning Review 35 (2003), pp.373-390.
[21] S. M. Kassim, M. Ali, Solid Waste Collection by the Private Sector:
Households' Perspective - Findings from a Study in Dar-es-Salaam City,
Tanzania. Habitat International 30 (2006), pp. 769-780.
[22] I. K. Osumanu, Environmental Concerns of Poor Households in Low-
Income Cities: The Case of the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. GeoJournal
68 (2007), pp.343-355.
[23] A. M. Wright, Ed. Toward a Strategic Sanitation Approach: Improving
the Sustainability of Urban Sanitation in Developing Countries.
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World
Bank: 1818 H Street NW Washington, DC 20433, 1997. 41p.
[24] Y. Sané, La Gestion des Déchets ├á Abidjan: Un Problème Récurrent et
Apparemment sans Solution. A J E AM 4 (2002), pp.13-22.
[25] J. Stern, D. Southgate, J. Strasma, Improving Garbage Collection in
Latin America's Slums: Some Lessons from Machala, Ecuador.
Resources, Conservation and Recycling 20 (1997), pp. 219-224.
[26] G. Gulis,; J. A. A. Mulumba, O.Juma, B. Kakosova, Health Status of
People of Slums in Nairobi, Kenya. Environmental Research 96 (2004),
pp 219-227.
[27] PNLP "Programme Nationale de Lutte contre le Paludisme. Rapports
Annuel d-Activité 2001, 2002, 2003," Institut National d'Hygiène
Publique (INHP) (2003) 43p.
[28] N. S. Dagnan, A. B Kone, I.Tiembre, K. D. Ekra, V. J.Benié, M.
Ndoutabe, J. Tagliante-Saracino, ├ëtude de la Prévalence du Paludisme
dans la Commue de Yopougon, Abidjan, C├┤te D-ivoire. Médecine
d'Afrique Noire 49 (2002), pp.507- 510.
[29] S. R. Doe, M. S. Khan, The Boundaries and Limits of Community
Management: Lessons from the Water Sector in Ghana. Community
Development Journal 39 (2004), pp.360-371.
[30] K. O. Boadi, M. Kuitunen, Environment, Wealth, Inequality and the
Burden of Disease in the Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana. International
Journal of Environmental Health Research 15 (2005), pp.193-206.
[31] E. Sinanovic,; S.Mbatsha,; S.Gundry, J. Wright, C. Rehnberg, Water and
Sanitation Policies for Improving Health in South Africa: Overcoming
the Institutional Legacy of Apartheid. Water Policy 7 (2005), pp.627-
642.
[32] J. N. S. Eisenberg, J. C. Scott, T. Porco, Integrating Disease Control
Strategies: Balancing Water Sanitation and Hygiene Interventions to
Reduce Diarrhoeal Disease Burden. American Journal of Public
Health97 (2007), pp. 846-852.
[33] L. Fewtrell, J. J. M. Colford, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in
Developing Countries: Interventions and Diarrhoea - A Review. Water
Science and Technology 52 (2005), pp.133-142.
[34] S. O'Hara, T. Hannan, M. Genina, Assessing Access to Safe Water and
Monitoring Progress on Mdg 7 Target 10 (Access to Safe Water and
Basic Sanitation): Lessons from Kazakhstan. Water Policy 10 (2008),
pp.1-24.
[35] M. A. Montgomery, M. Elimelech, Water and Sanitation in Developing
Countries: Including Health in the Equation - Millions Suffer from
Preventable Illnesses and Die Every Year. Environ. Sc & Tech 41
(2007), pp.17-24.
[36] J.N.S. Eisenberg, J.C. Scott, T. Porco, Integrating disease control
strategies: Balancing water sanitation and hygiene interventions to
reduce diarrheal disease burden American Journal of Public Health 97
(5) (2007), pp.846-852
[37] M. Ezzati, J. Utzinger, S. Cairncross, A. J. Cohen, B. H. Singer,
Environmental Risks in the Developing World: Exposure Indicators for
Evaluating Interventions, Programmes, and Policies. Journal of
Epidemiology and Community Health 59 (2005), pp.15-22.
[38] A. M. Metwally, A. Saad, N. A. Ibrahim, H. M. Emam, L. A. El-Etreby,
Monitoring Progress of the Role of Integration of Environmental Health
Education with Water and Sanitation Services in Changing Community
Behaviours. International Journal of Environmental Health Research 17
(2007), pp 61-74.
[39] V. E. Manga, O. T. Forton, A. D. Read, Waste Management in
Cameroon: A New Policy Perspective? Resources, Conservation and
Recycling 52 (2008), pp.592-600.
[1] B. Dzwairo, Z. Hoko, D. Love & E. Guzha, Assessment of the impacts
of pit latrines on groundwater quality in rural areas: A case study from
Marondera district, Zimbabwe. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts
A/B/C 31(15-16) (2006), pp.779-788.
[2] K.-M. Kapepula, G. Colson, K. Sabri, P. Thonart, A Multiple Criteria
Analysis for Household Solid Waste Management in the Urban
Community of Dakar. Waste Management 27 (2007), pp.1690-1705.
[3] C. M. N. Souza, C. M. De Freitas, L. R. S. Moraes, Discourses on
Sanitation-Health-Environment Relationship in the Legislation: An
Analysis of Concepts and Lines of Direction, Eng. Sanit. Ambient. 12
(4) (2007), pp. 371-379.
[4] M. Kosek, C. Bern, R. L. Guerrant, The Global Burden of Diarrhoeal
Disease, as Estimated from Studies Published between 1992 and 2000.
Bull of the WHO 81 (2003), pp.197-204.
[5] T. Clasen, J. Brown, O. Suntura, S. Collin, Safe Household Water
Treatment and Storage Using Ceramic Drip Filters: A Randomised
Controlled Trial in Bolivia. Wat. Sci. & Tech. 50 (2004), pp. 111-115.
[6] D. Cutler and G. Miller, The Role of Public Health Improvements in
Health Advances: The Twentieth-Century United States. Demography
42 (2005), pp.1-22.
[7] WHO. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Links to Health Facts and Figures
- updated November 2004. Water Sanitation and Health (WSH) (2004),
Vol. 2005.
[8] A. O. Afon, and A. Okewole, Estimating the Quantity of Solid Waste
Generation in Oyo, Nigeria. Waste Management and Research 25
(2007), pp.371-379.
[9] J.-E Hardoy, D. Mitli, D. Satterthwaite, Environmental Problems in an
Urbanizing World - Finding Solutions for Cities in Africa, Asia and
Latin America. Earthscan publications LTD: London 15 (2001)
[10] K. Boadi, M. Kuitunen, K. Raheem, K. Hanninen, Urbanisation without
Development: Environmental and Health Implications in African Cities.
Environment, Development and Sustainability 7 (2005), pp. 465-500.
[11] F. Akindès, Cote d'Ivoire: Socio-political crisis, "Ivoirité" and the course
of history, in: African Sociological Review 7(2) (2003), pp. 11-28.
[12] K. E. Sawaya, L. G. Olmanson, N. J. Heinert, Extending Satellite
Remote Sensing to Local Scales: Land and Water Resource Monitoring
Using High-Resolution Imagery. Remote Sensing of Environment 88
(2003), pp.144-156.
[13] D. Stow, A. Lopez, C. Lippitt, S. Hinton, J. Weeks, Object-Based
Classification of Residential Land Use within Accra, Ghana Based on
Quickbird Satellite Data. International Journal of Remote Sensing 28
(2007), pp. 5167-5173.
[14] R. Haydn, G. W. Dalke, J. Henkel, J. E. Bare, In Int. Symp. Remote
Sensing of Arid and Semi-arid Lands, Cairo, Egypt (1982), pp. 599-616.
[15] R. McNamee, Efficiency of Two-Phase Designs for Prevalence
Estimation. International Journal of Epidemiology 32 (2003), pp. 1072-
1078.
[16] F. S. Makoni, J. Ndamba, P. A.Mbati, G. Manase, Impact of Waste
Disposal on Health of a Poor Urban Community in Zimbambwe. East
African Medical Journal 81 (2004), pp.422-426.
[17] O. Boiral, Tacit Knowledge and Environmental Management Long
Range Planning 35 (2002), pp.291-317.
[18] H. Francos; and M, Bituro. Innovative Way for Solid Waste
Management in Dar-es-Salaam: Toward Stakeholder Partnerships.
Habitat International 23 (1999), pp.351- 361.
[19] F. Richard, A. Weitz, Public-Private Community Partnerships in
Infrastructure for the Poor. Journal of International Development 15
(2003), pp.1083 - 1098.
[20] F. N.Addo-Yobo, A. Mensor, Households: Passive Users or Active
Managers? The Case of Solid Waste Management in Accra, Ghana.
International Development Planning Review 35 (2003), pp.373-390.
[21] S. M. Kassim, M. Ali, Solid Waste Collection by the Private Sector:
Households' Perspective - Findings from a Study in Dar-es-Salaam City,
Tanzania. Habitat International 30 (2006), pp. 769-780.
[22] I. K. Osumanu, Environmental Concerns of Poor Households in Low-
Income Cities: The Case of the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. GeoJournal
68 (2007), pp.343-355.
[23] A. M. Wright, Ed. Toward a Strategic Sanitation Approach: Improving
the Sustainability of Urban Sanitation in Developing Countries.
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World
Bank: 1818 H Street NW Washington, DC 20433, 1997. 41p.
[24] Y. Sané, La Gestion des Déchets ├á Abidjan: Un Problème Récurrent et
Apparemment sans Solution. A J E AM 4 (2002), pp.13-22.
[25] J. Stern, D. Southgate, J. Strasma, Improving Garbage Collection in
Latin America's Slums: Some Lessons from Machala, Ecuador.
Resources, Conservation and Recycling 20 (1997), pp. 219-224.
[26] G. Gulis,; J. A. A. Mulumba, O.Juma, B. Kakosova, Health Status of
People of Slums in Nairobi, Kenya. Environmental Research 96 (2004),
pp 219-227.
[27] PNLP "Programme Nationale de Lutte contre le Paludisme. Rapports
Annuel d-Activité 2001, 2002, 2003," Institut National d'Hygiène
Publique (INHP) (2003) 43p.
[28] N. S. Dagnan, A. B Kone, I.Tiembre, K. D. Ekra, V. J.Benié, M.
Ndoutabe, J. Tagliante-Saracino, ├ëtude de la Prévalence du Paludisme
dans la Commue de Yopougon, Abidjan, C├┤te D-ivoire. Médecine
d'Afrique Noire 49 (2002), pp.507- 510.
[29] S. R. Doe, M. S. Khan, The Boundaries and Limits of Community
Management: Lessons from the Water Sector in Ghana. Community
Development Journal 39 (2004), pp.360-371.
[30] K. O. Boadi, M. Kuitunen, Environment, Wealth, Inequality and the
Burden of Disease in the Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana. International
Journal of Environmental Health Research 15 (2005), pp.193-206.
[31] E. Sinanovic,; S.Mbatsha,; S.Gundry, J. Wright, C. Rehnberg, Water and
Sanitation Policies for Improving Health in South Africa: Overcoming
the Institutional Legacy of Apartheid. Water Policy 7 (2005), pp.627-
642.
[32] J. N. S. Eisenberg, J. C. Scott, T. Porco, Integrating Disease Control
Strategies: Balancing Water Sanitation and Hygiene Interventions to
Reduce Diarrhoeal Disease Burden. American Journal of Public
Health97 (2007), pp. 846-852.
[33] L. Fewtrell, J. J. M. Colford, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in
Developing Countries: Interventions and Diarrhoea - A Review. Water
Science and Technology 52 (2005), pp.133-142.
[34] S. O'Hara, T. Hannan, M. Genina, Assessing Access to Safe Water and
Monitoring Progress on Mdg 7 Target 10 (Access to Safe Water and
Basic Sanitation): Lessons from Kazakhstan. Water Policy 10 (2008),
pp.1-24.
[35] M. A. Montgomery, M. Elimelech, Water and Sanitation in Developing
Countries: Including Health in the Equation - Millions Suffer from
Preventable Illnesses and Die Every Year. Environ. Sc & Tech 41
(2007), pp.17-24.
[36] J.N.S. Eisenberg, J.C. Scott, T. Porco, Integrating disease control
strategies: Balancing water sanitation and hygiene interventions to
reduce diarrheal disease burden American Journal of Public Health 97
(5) (2007), pp.846-852
[37] M. Ezzati, J. Utzinger, S. Cairncross, A. J. Cohen, B. H. Singer,
Environmental Risks in the Developing World: Exposure Indicators for
Evaluating Interventions, Programmes, and Policies. Journal of
Epidemiology and Community Health 59 (2005), pp.15-22.
[38] A. M. Metwally, A. Saad, N. A. Ibrahim, H. M. Emam, L. A. El-Etreby,
Monitoring Progress of the Role of Integration of Environmental Health
Education with Water and Sanitation Services in Changing Community
Behaviours. International Journal of Environmental Health Research 17
(2007), pp 61-74.
[39] V. E. Manga, O. T. Forton, A. D. Read, Waste Management in
Cameroon: A New Policy Perspective? Resources, Conservation and
Recycling 52 (2008), pp.592-600.
@article{"International Journal of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences:54116", author = "Kouassi Dongo and Christian Zurbrügg and Gueladio Cissé1 and Brigit Obrist and Marcel Tanner and Jean
Biémi", title = "Analysing Environmental Risks and Perceptions of Risks to Assess Health and Well-being in Poor Areas of Abidjan", abstract = "This study analyzed environmental health risks and
people-s perceptions of risks related to waste management in poor
settlements of Abidjan, to develop integrated solutions for health and
well-being improvement. The trans-disciplinary approach used relied
on remote sensing, a geographic information system (GIS),
qualitative and quantitative methods such as interviews and a
household survey (n=1800). Mitigating strategies were then
developed using an integrated participatory stakeholder workshop.
Waste management deficiencies resulting in lack of drainage and
uncontrolled solid and liquid waste disposal in the poor settlements
lead to severe environmental health risks. Health problems were
caused by direct handling of waste, as well as through broader
exposure of the population. People in poor settlements had little
awareness of health risks related to waste management in their
community and a general lack of knowledge pertaining to sanitation
systems. This unfortunate combination was the key determinant
affecting the health and vulnerability. For example, an increased
prevalence of malaria (47.1%) and diarrhoea (19.2%) was observed
in the rainy season when compared to the dry season (32.3% and
14.3%). Concerted and adapted solutions that suited all the
stakeholders concerned were developed in a participatory workshop
to allow for improvement of health and well-being.", keywords = "Abidjan, environmental health risks, informalsettlements, vulnerability, waste management.", volume = "4", number = "1", pages = "14-7", }
