Environmental Sanitation Practices and Water-related Health Risks in Mamfe Central Sub-Division, South West Region of Cameroon

Abstract

Environmental sanitation and water quality remain critical determinants of public health, particularly in rapidly urbanising towns across sub-Saharan Africa. In Mamfe Central sub-division, inadequate waste management systems, deteriorating drainage infrastructure and limited sanitation coverage have heightened population vulnerability to water-related health risks. This study evaluates the effectiveness of environmental sanitation practices in mitigating water quality deterioration, with emphasis on waste management systems, sanitation access, hygiene behaviours, water-health linkages and institutional support mechanisms. This study was guided by the use of a mixed research design consisting of qualitative and quantitative designs, the duration spans from 2019- 2024. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 218 households across multiple quarters of the sub-division. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and linear regression modelling were employed for data analysis. Findings indicate that burning (35.2%) and open dumping (31.9%) are the dominant waste disposal methods, while municipal waste collection services reach only 11% of households. Additionally, 72.4% of drainage infrastructure is classified as poor to very poor. Water quality test results are largely positive, with 57.2% of respondents rating their water as poor to very poor in terms of physio-chemical and biological analysis. Statistical analysis reveals a strong positive relationship between environmental sanitation and water quality (r = 0.876, P < 0.001), with sanitation conditions explaining 76.7% of the variation in water quality (R² = 0.767). These results confirm that inadequate environmental sanitation is a primary driver of water quality deterioration in the study area. The study recommends the expansion of municipal waste collection services, rehabilitation of drainage systems, strengthened enforcement of sanitation regulations, and the promotion of community-based sanitation initiatives.