Analysis of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation and improper management on the health of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Abstract

Maiduguri Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camps are micro cities whose inhabitants live in the neighbourhood of stagnant water which favour the breeding of mosquitoes. In addition to nutritional, emotional and psychological anxieties, poor environmental sanitation favoured the spread of disease and their causing organisms thus worsening the social, environmental and public health of the IDPs. The aim of this study is to assess the quantity and effects of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation and management on the health of IDPs. A weight balance, GPS, personal observations and structured questionnaire were used to determine the quantity of MSW generated and how its management patterns adversely affected IDP’s public health. The results revealed 32,073.18 tons of MSW were generated annually, and 99.9% of the generation was from home. The result also shows that 1,114 (69.6%) of the total MSW collection sites were unapproved, and an improper collection pattern was established using camp population and MSW collections sites. Burning and evacuation were the leading management practices, and 65.11% (20,881.84tons) of the total (32,073.18 tons per annum) MSW generated was improperly managed by burning (37.66%), composting (16.37%) and burying (11,08%) leading to frequent disease incidences. Finally, a positive relationship between improper MSWM and the prevalence of disease was established using Pearson Moment Correlation and the ratio of IDP population to disease prevalence shows that Malaria, STI/D, Diarrheal, Cough and Sore bronchitis and Skin infections were 4:1; 6:1; 7:1; 8:1 and 9:1 respectively. A total of 251,957 incidences of ill-health were observed from 23 clinics in 11 camps. The study concluded that the high incidence of infections/disease was due to improper MSW management by burning, burying, and composting on unapproved collection sites. The study recommended a follow-up medical for the five-leading cases to prevent aggravation. This study is limited to Maiduguri IDP camps and was carried out from September 2020 to August 2021. The intent of the work is to show the relationship between solid waste management and ill-health.