Public Health Implications Of The Housing, Water And Sanitation Conditions In Kaburini Slum Of Kakamega Town, Kenya

Abstract

In many African countries, including Kenya, rapid slum population growth is majorly experienced in towns and cities. Slum dwellers face many challenges such as poor housing conditions, improper excreta and waste water management, improper management of solid waste, insufficient and unsafe drinking water, and limited general cleanliness. This study is an assessment of public health implications of the housing, water and sanitation conditions in Kaburini slum of Kakamega town in Kenya. The specific objectives were to 1) determine the housing conditions in Kaburini; 2) evaluate the access to water and sanitation situation in Kaburini; and 3) assess the public health implications of the housing, water and sanitation conditions in Kaburini. The study objectives were achieved using a random sample of 62 households in Kaburini. The data generated from the field was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results show that Kaburini slum suffers from poor housing, water and sanitation conditions, which is a major health risk for the residents. Most of houses are made of mud walls; have structural defects and dead spaces; get damp, cold and develop molds during the rainy seasons; and are overcrowded. Although the major source of water was piped water, a large majority of the households did not treat their drinking water. On sanitation, majority of households shared latrines which were not regularly cleaned and disinfected and used by many people per latrine. Lastly, the slum did not have any formal mode of waste disposal. Household waste was dumped in the open. The study recommends provision of good housing, water and sanitation conditions to the urban poor households and civic education on environmental sanitation.