ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS IN UGANDA: A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Introduction
Environmental health, is defined by WHO as, “those aspects of human health, including quality of life, that are determined by physical, chemical, biological, social and psychosocial factors in the environment.” Environmental health as a field and as a discipline emphasizes on the intricate link between human health and its environment. Mortality rate, morbidity and life expectancy rate at all ages and gender are influenced by the environment. Access to clean and potable water, a clean environment and ample natural resources influence basic hygiene and affect the nutritional status of the population. The increase and complexity of environmental health problems in Uganda demands a number of empirical studies that will facilitate a better understanding of the issues at hand, provide solutions and influence policy and decision-making at the level of the community and at the national level.
Review of Related Studies and Literature
In Uganda the lack of proper solid waste management, proper management of wastewater, lack of access and sources of clean drinking water are one of the significant threats to health and hygiene especially among the poor. Uganda is an agricultural economy with other 90% of its population dependent (directly or indirectly) on agricultural products and services that come from its forests, wetlands and fisheries. Eighty percent (80%) of the working population relies on agriculture. It is also a source of 85% of export earnings.
The pressure of poverty and political and economic stability in the country negatively affected its natural environment which further puts the country in a vicious circle resulting to social-economic and environmental risk. One of the environmental threats are: deforestation, pollution, soil degradation, drainage of wetlands, loss of biodiversity and unsanitary conditions. The latter of which is caused by poor management of their water resources. The main causes of the environmental degradation are increase in population which put a pressure on land and land density, armed conflicts, unequal gender relations, unsustainable farming methods, lack of energy-efficient technology, and the non-availability of or scarcity of non-farm jobs that provide income. [Department of Economics Göteborg University, n.d.]
The other causes of environmental degradation are: poverty and corruption, and industrialization. With the decline in the quality of agricultural land the problem of food security is affected causing an increase in the rate of malnutrition. Twenty five percent (25%) of the population cannot meet their daily food needs and 2/3 of the children aged 0-5 are malnourished. Water management is a critical issue in the country but the government only prioritizes water in the urban areas. Only 55% in the rural areas have access to potable water while the 20% of them have difficulty collecting water for about a distance that far exceeds 1km. While the population is increasing, pollution and sanitation is also an issue. Mass production of agricultural products requires use of chemicals that destroy water quality. Access to sanitation in the urban areas is only 65%, in the rural area this drops to 56%. Because Uganda is dependent on traditional plant medicines, its preventive health care education is seen as cost efficient compared to investment in health infrastructures such as sanitation facilities, water sanitation and construction of health clinics. Because of the high incidence of AIDS the management of hazardous waste such as used needles must come as a priority.
The state of the environment of Uganda and how it impacts on the health of the population is an issue that draws international attention. Mugisha (2010) conducted a study from 2006 to 2010 to identify the link between commercial fish farming and the incidence of malaria. The study observed that management of fisheries determines the level of incidence of malaria increase. Proper management reduces the incidence and otherwise would have increased malaria cases.
Statement of the Problem
This research will describe the following factors related to environmental health in a rural area: extent of environmental degradation, poverty level and access to potable water, the incidence of diseases, mortality rate, and life expectancy, and malnutrition. This research will also determine the relationship between all the factors identified above.
Methodology
Both quantitative and qualitative methodology will be used in this research. The quantitative data will be gathered from secondary data sources from local health agencies, non-government organization and others. The qualitative descriptions will be collected from observations and interviews as well as from secondary sources. The quantitative data are entered into a statistical software (SPSS). The qualitative data are coded and are also entered into the software. They are then processed and analyzed according to correlation and cause and effect relationship.
REFERENCES
Bremner, J and Zuehlke, E n.d Integrating, Population Health and Population in Uganda. [online] Available at:<http://www.prb.org/Publications/PolicyBriefs/uganda.aspx> [Accessed 28 May 2011].
Department of Economics Göteborg University, n.d. Poverty and Environment in Uganda. [online] Available at:<http://www.sida.se/Global/Countries%20and%20regions/Africa/Uganda/Environmental%20policy%20brief%20Uganda.pdf> [Accessed 28 May 2011].
HE&W, n.d., What is Environmental Health? [online] Available at:<http://www.agius.com/hew/resource/envhlth.htm> [Accessed 28 May 2011].
Mugisha, S., 2010. Private Sector-led Aquaculture and Malaria in Western Uganda. [online] Available at:< http://www.idrc.ca/cp/ev-83071-201_102155-1-IDRC_ADM_INFO.html> [Accessed 28 May 2011].
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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