The Impact of Poor Waste Management on Public Health Initiatives in Shanty Towns in Tanzania

Felician Andrew Kitole, Temitope O. Ojo (), Chijioke U. Emenike, Nolwazi Z. Khumalo, Khalid M. Elhindi and Hazem S. Kassem
Additional contact information
Felician Andrew Kitole: Department of Economics, Mzumbe University, Morogoro P.O. Box 5, Tanzania
Temitope O. Ojo: Department of Agricultural Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife 220103, Nigeria
Chijioke U. Emenike: Department of Plant, Food and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
Nolwazi Z. Khumalo: Department of Agriculture, University of Zululand, P. Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa
Khalid M. Elhindi: Department of Plant Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Hazem S. Kassem: Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 24, 1-26

Abstract: Poor waste management in shanty towns across developing countries has significantly impacted public health, contributing to widespread outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, malaria, and typhoid due to unsanitary living conditions and contaminated environments. Limited efforts by residents and governments to implement effective waste disposal practices exacerbate these health risks, perpetuating a cycle of poor sanitation, increased disease transmission, and environmental degradation. This study investigates the impact of poor waste management on public health in informal settlements and explores strategies to mitigate these risks through improved practices and collaborative efforts. The study employed a cross-sectional research design and collected data using semi-structured questionnaires to collect data from 217 households in Tandale, Manzese, and Tandika in the Dar es Salaam region. The findings confirm that inadequate waste collection services, lack of proper disposal sites, high costs of waste management, and poor public awareness are key contributors to the accumulation of waste and the prevalence of diseases. Hypothesis testing further reveals that inadequate waste collection services significantly impact public health challenges, while public health initiatives on waste management significantly improve health outcomes and reduce disease prevalence. The study’s recommendations include increasing the frequency of waste collection, fostering community-led waste management initiatives, enhancing public education on the health risks of poor waste disposal, and providing subsidized resources such as waste bins and bags. Additionally, strengthened collaboration between local governments, NGOs, and community members is essential for mobilizing resources and implementing sustainable waste management practices. These measures are vital to reducing public health risks and creating healthier living conditions in underserved communities.

Keywords: waste management; public health risks; informal settlements; environmental sanitation; community-based waste solutions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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