Combating infectious diseases in Zimbabwean prisons through revitalizing public health: evidence-based policies for waste and hygiene management: a case for Bindura prison
- Author
- Gate, Lennox M.
- Title
- Combating infectious diseases in Zimbabwean prisons through revitalizing public health: evidence-based policies for waste and hygiene management: a case for Bindura prison
- Abstract
- Correctional facilities in low-income countries are often epicenters of infectious diseases, driven by systemic failures in waste and hygiene management. This study investigates the nexus between sanitation practices and disease incidence at Bindura Prison, proposing evidence-based policies to revitalize public health within Zimbabwe's correctional system. A mixed-methods study approach, the research combines quantitative survey data with qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews with prison staff, inmates, health officials, and community stakeholders. The findings revealed a public health crisis rooted in severe overcrowding, which has crippled infrastructure designed for less than half the current population. A strong, statistically significant negative correlation was identified between access to adequate sanitation and the prevalence of infectious diseases (rho = -.72, p < .01). This is environmental failure is compounded by institutional barriers. The absence of a specific waste management policy for prisons, chronic under resourcing, and a lack of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. The study concludes that poor hygiene and waste management are directly and significantly linked to the high incidence of disease at Bindura Prison, validating the need for urgent intervention. The effectiveness of any educational program is severely constrained by the lack of essential resources and infrastructure. Therefore, a multi-faceted approach combining immediate infrastructural investment, robust policy development, and structured training for both staff and inmates is imperative to combat disease, uphold human rights, and safeguard public health.
- Date
- May 2025
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- Correctional facilities
- Sanitation practices
- Infectious diseases
- Supervisor
- N/A
- Item sets
- Department of Environmental Science
- Media
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Gate - ES.docx.pdf