Abstract

This study seeks to examine how water accessibility impacts the hygiene and sanitation of the local community of Bafounda. Both primary and secondary data were collected with the use of questionnaire, observation, interviews, textbooks, internet sources, journals, which were analyzed and explained based on the topic.

The findings revealed that distance to water sources and the pollution of available water sources were the main causes of water accessibility problems. It also revealed that water accessibility has an impact on the hygiene and sanitation of the people of Bafounda. This was clearly seen through the rate of typhoid infection due to the  consumption of polluted water and food stuffs.

Thus, the study recommends the Government, local authorities, local population, NGO’S, and scientist to take sustainable measures towards the provision of clean and uncontaminated water sources for the local community so as to reduce the rate of typhoid infection by the local community.

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Of The Study

Water accessibility according to the United Nations Organization is the ease by which humans gets safe drinking water and for domestic purpose. Hygiene according to World Health Organization is the behaviors that can improve cleanliness and leads to good health while Sanitation are those behaviors that are put in place to prevent disease caused by poor hygiene and  contact with humans.

In summary of all, Hygiene and Sanitation according to World Health Organization is the management of human excreta. Some of the disease which can easily be contacted due to poor hygiene and sanitation are Dysentery, Typhoid, and Cholera. In the world, water scarcity is a major problem though about 71 percent of the Earth Surface is occupied by water bodies. This is because out of the 71 percent, fresh water consist just about 3 percent (Timothy & David, 2017)

According to hydrologists, out of the 3 percent of fresh water, 68 percent is found in Glaciers and 30 percent is found in ground waters. Only about 0.03 percent of fresh water is available on the surface waters such as rivers, lakes and streams (Danielle & Elizabeth, 2021). This limited amount of fresh water couple with climate change along side high water demands due to rising population and poor management of water resources are the reason why water accessibility is a major problem in most part of the world especially in the developing countries of Africa and Asia.

In Africa, water accessibility problems is pronounced in the Semi Arid zone and Arid zones ,with countries including Somalia, Chad, and Niger who suffers more from water scarcities and this affects the hygiene and sanitation of people living in these areas(Deborah Bensen in her article Clean water and Water Technology ). Water accessibility is a major problem in these areas because there is water scarcity due to low amount of precipitation and high temperatures which brings about desert conditions in these areas (WHO, 2020).

In Cameroon, despite the numerous water bodies available, water accessibility is a major problem with areas such as the Northern Low Lands facing the highest problems of water accessibility due to the desert characteristics of this area (Fonjong & Fokum, 2015). Mostly, rural areas suffer more from water accessibility than urban areas though in towns, some areas like the slums tend to suffer from water accessibility as well as in rural areas. 

Though it is found on the Western High Lands of Cameroon with annual rainfall of about 1000 to 2000mm, this area suffers greatly from waters accessibility and it affects the hygiene and sanitation of the local population of less than ten thousand inhabitants. It is comprised of a sparse population settlement patterns with population structure composed of Adults above 30 year.

1.2 Statement Of Problem

Water accessibility is a major problem in Buea due to the absence of public taps and relatively few streams which serves as portable water source. Most at times, the water can be present but cannot be used for drinking nor for domestic purposes due to poor water qualities. This has made it difficult for the local population to meet up with the United Nations standard of 30 to 40 litters of water usage per person daily.

Here, people don not have access to up to 20litters of water per day. The inability of people to have access to portable water brings about unhygienic and poor sanitation conditions. This poor hygiene and sanitation is seen through the inability of the local population to take proper bath (two to three times a day) and to wash their clothes.

This situation makes the local population exposed to some illnesses such as dysentery. The physical appearance of the people especially children shows that they do not take proper bath as of the UN standard. This untidy condition affects the health of the local population and most of the people here suffers from typhoid.

1.3 Research Questions

This research contains one main research question and two specific research question as seen below.

1.3.1 Main Research Question

How does water accessibility impact the Hygiene and Sanitation of the inhabitants of Buea.?

1.3.2 Specific Research Questions

1. What are the factors hindering the community to have access to portable water and basic sanitation?
2. How does the accessibility of water and basic sanitation affect the local environment?.
3. What should be done to improve water accessibility in Buea?