African Journal of Science, Technology and Social Sciences

Faecal coliforms and pathogenic bacteria in borehole water and household storage in Ekalakala Ward, Machakos County, Kenya

Pauline Muthue — 2024-11-15

The quality of drinking water is very vital to public health. Diarrhea can be caused by poor hygiene practices, inadequate sanitary action and unsafe drinking water. Globally, 1,000 children die annually due to controllable sanitation-related diarrhoea diseases. Furthermore, Africa has been classified as the leading continent in cholera disease due to a lack of access to safe clean water and basic sanitation. Kenya is a water-scarce country in Africa leading to the drilling of many boreholes in the country. Almost all the households in Ekalakala ward, Machakos County used borehole water for various activities. This study aimed to determine faecal and pathogenic coliforms in borehole water at the source and households in Ekalakala ward, Machakos County. A mixed methods research design was adopted. The most probable number (MPN) technique was used to identify faecal coliforms (Escherichia. coli). Other pathogenic bacteria including Vibrio cholerae and Salmonella species were isolated using thiosulfate citrate bile salts and deoxycholate citrate agar respectively. MPN results showed that most of the samples were contaminated with faecal coliforms with a mean value of 171.3 MPN/100 ml of water. The proximity of boreholes to pit latrines was assessed using a checklist and confirmed that there was a moderate positive correlation of (r) = 0.45. Borehole water in the Ekalakala ward was contaminated with bacterial coliforms and faecal coliforms. Water treatment before use in addition to, education on proper water storage methods by community health providers should be emphasized.

Utilization of Bamboo Biochar as an adsorbent in the removal of heavy metals from wastewater stabilization ponds effluent in Embu Town, Kenya

Mary Njoroge — 2024-11-15

Rapid population growth and expansion of industries have led to increase in the presence of heavy metals in wastewater. Irregular discharge of such wastewater with little or no treatment has been rampant in developing countries. Exposure to heavy metals has been associated with stunted growth and development, acute and chronic respiratory effects, cancerous effects, autoimmunity and even death. Technological solutions for heavy metal removal that are affordable, environmentally benign, and simple to use are needed to address these challenges. This study investigated the effectiveness of two differently modified bamboo biochar’s in removal of selected heavy metals from wastewater stabilization ponds (WSPs) effluent in Embu town, Kenya. One modification involved pyrolysis hourly at 250^°C, then at 350°C, and lastly at 500°C and labelled AC whereas the other involved chemical activation using potassium hydroxide followed by pyrolysis and referred as AC+KOH. Sampling of wastewater along the treatment processes was conducted during the wet and dry season, totalling to forty-two samples. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to analyse the amounts of Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Cu²⁺ ions in the WSPs effluents. Mean concentrations ranged from 0 to 0.355 ppm, 0.002 ppm, and 0.035 ppm during the wet season and 0 to 0.018 ppm, 0.004 ppm, and 0.097 ppm respectively during the dry season. The maximum National Environmental Management Authority, 2006, allowable limits for discharge into public water for Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Cu²⁺ ions are 0.01 ppm, 0.01 ppm, and 1 ppm respectively. Microsoft Excel, SPSS version 26 and R studio was used for statistical analysis. The lead removal effectiveness of treating polluted effluents with the AC ranged from 86% to 100%, whereas treatments using AC+KOH ranged between 72% to 90%. There was a significant difference, the p-value was 0.04655 < 0.05 between the differently modified bamboo biochar’s. Findings from the study indicates effectiveness of bamboo biochar in treating wastewater contaminated with heavy metal (Pb²⁺) with AC performing better than AC+KOH.

Mass Media as a determinant of community hygiene practices : A case study of Garba Tula Sub-county in Isiolo County

Fridah Murugu — 2024-11-15

Introduction: Hygiene practices are essential for maintaining public health and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Mass media has the potential to influence individuals’ hygiene behaviors and attitudes, by reaching a wide and diverse audience simultaneously, mass media can effectively disseminate targeted hygiene-related messages, leading to improved knowledge.

Therefore, the study aimed to assess the contribution of mass media to the adoption of good hygiene practices in Garba Tula sub-county.

Methodology: The study employed a mixed method approach where the researcher incorporated both qualitative and quantitative approaches, with a sample size of 191, which included the household heads, public health officers, area chief, and religious leaders. The study was conducted between December 2022 and February 2023. The data was analyzed by use of SPSS (2022) and ANOVA.

Results: The study identified media representation, lack of awareness, poverty, lack of water, and culture as some of the factors associated with poor hygiene practices in Garba Tula Sub County. The study found there was a moderate relationship (P=<0.001) between hygiene practices and the media. It was noted that a significant percentage of households depended on the media for hygiene messages.

Conclusion: The study concluded that the physical parameters and opinion leaders significantly influenced the adoption of good hygiene practices in the Gabra-Tula sub-county. The study recommends that mass media be used exhaustively to aid in behavior change and creating awareness.

The Influence of social factors on the promotion of Safe Fecal Management in flood-prone areas: A case of Nyando Sub-County, Kenya

Reagan Omondi Onyango — 2024-11-15

Sustainable Development Goal No. 6 target 2 aims to provide universal access to sanitation by the year 2030. The study aimed to investigate the influence of social factors on the promotion of safe fecal management in Nyando Sub-County. The area was selected due to prevalent flooding which led to the collapse of pit latrines stemming open defecation and reversal in sanitation access. The study employed a convergent methods approach that incorporated both quantitative and qualitative techniques. A sample size of 177 households was chosen as a representative of the 38,460 total households in the study area. Structured questionnaires and focus group discussions were used for data collection. SPSS version 26 was used to analyze quantitative data and the relationship between the variables was examined using Pearson’s Product Moment correlation at a 5% significance level. Similarly, MAXQDA software was used to group coded data from qualitative methods into themes. From the results, household wealth and gender roles had the strongest influence on the regressor variable with correlation coefficients of (r =.722**; P ≤.022) and (r =.687**; P ≤.049) respectively. Additionally, the study revealed that 18.4%, (n=30) of the respondents did not have toilets and 55.2%, (n=90) of the toilets were unimproved. In conclusion, the choice of affordable sanitation solutions incorporating the aspects of gender may increase sanitation access during floods. Future studies should therefore focus on other factors affecting the promotion of safe fecal management in Nyando Sub-County and suitable sanitation solutions for floodable environments.

Keywords: Open defecation, Sanitation access, Safe fecal management, Socio-economic gaps, Sanitation disparities

Socio-Economic Determinants of Latrine Use in Imenti North Sub County, Meru County, Kenya

Joy Gitonga — 2024-11-15

Aim: To determine the Socio-Economic Determinants of Latrine Use in Imenti North Sub County, Meru County, Kenya.

Objective: To examine the social economic factors influencing latrine use among the residents of Imenti North Sub-County, Meru County, Kenya.

Introduction: Sanitary Latrine access is crucial for public health and sustainable development, for significant reduction of morbidity and mortality from diseases like diarrhea. Despite global efforts, 3.6 billion people lacked access to safely managed sanitation services in 2020, with sub-Saharan Africa and rural areas disproportionately affected. In Kenya, only 33% of the population has improved sanitation, with significant disparities across regions.

Study Area and Population: The study was conducted in Imenti North Sub County, Meru County, Kenya, with a population of 548,161 and 57,668 households. The target sample was 396 households, calculated using the Yamane formula, and data was collected through questionnaires, observation checklists, and interviews.

Methodology: Cross-sectional descriptive study design incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methods was employed. Purposive and cluster sampling techniques were used to obtain appropriate sample size. From each cluster, simple random sampling technique was utilized to select respondents. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS Version 26 to generate descriptive and inferential statistics. Ethical approvals were obtained and permits sought to ensure participant confidentiality.

Results: The response rate was 97%, with 387 fully completed questionnaires. Key findings included: Household Characteristics, 72% of household heads were males. Most respondents had primary education (41%), and over half were not formally employed, indicating economic instability. Sanitation Practices: 68% of households had 4 - 8 occupants, affecting latrine hygiene and use. 77.8% financed latrine construction from personal resources, and health education was a significant motivator (42.9%).Challenges: Major barriers to latrine use included unhygienic conditions (51.7%) and distance (29.2%). The main obstacles to latrine ownership were lack of land (29.5%) and financial constraints (22.2%). Inferential Statistics: Significant factors influencing latrine use included household density, cleanliness, hand wash station availability, and privacy, all showing p-values = 0.000< 0.05.

Conclusion: Socio-economic factors, including education, income, and household size, significantly impact latrine use in Imenti North. The study concludes that addressing these issues through targeted health education, affordable sanitation solutions, and community engagement is crucial for improving sustainable sanitation practices.

Keywords: Sanitation, Latrine Use, Socio-Economic Factors, Public Health, Rural Sanitation