Spatial analysis of the perceived health risks at household level emanating from poor solid waste disposal in Highfield, Harare

Author

Mandaza, Itai P.

Title

Spatial analysis of the perceived health risks at household level emanating from poor solid waste disposal in Highfield, Harare

Abstract

Proper solid waste disposal constitutes one of the most pressing challenges facing urban authorities in Zimbabwe. In recent years there has been a considerable increase in illegal waste dumping, which indicates that throughout the country, urban solid waste disposal systems are inefficient, environmental unsafe and posing health risks to human beings. To date no study has attempted to quantify the perceived health risks at household level emanating from poor solid waste disposal. Against this backdrop the above study spatially analyses the perceived health risks at household level emanating from poor solid waste disposal in Highfield, Harare. The main objective of the study was to spatially analyze the perceived health risks at household level emanating from poor solid waste disposal in Highfield, Harare. To satisfy the above objectives, data was collected through the use of observations, key informant interviews, questionnaire surveys and maps showing spatial variations generated through GIS software QGIS. One hundred respondents were sampled using random sampling and purposive was applied to identify 7 key informants who were interviewed. Observations were applied in identifying dumpsites and noting the types of waste materials found at these dumpsites using a field matrix and lastly Maps showing spatial variations of risk generated. The study established that several health risks exist as a result of poor solid waste disposal and these include malaria, cholera, typhoid, tuberculosis, lung cancer and asthma. The study highlighted that malaria has the highest level of risk followed by cholera and then typhoid. Lung cancer and asthma present only low to medium level of risk. The study also noted that the spatially variations exist and they vary that risks some risks are more concentrated in other areas than others, while some are distributed across the area under study The study also established that the emergence of poor solid waste disposal which now pose health risks to the community is due to the erratic waste collection services offered by the Harare City Council. Therefore the study recommends that there be institutional capacitating of the municipality of Harare through provision of refuse collection trucks and containers to be installed at suitable points and local health clinics to be provided with adequate working equipment and drugs.

Date

May 2019

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Spatial Analysis

Health Risks

Household Level

Waste Disposal

Poor

Supervisor

Dr. T. Manyangadze