Association between Waste Management Practices, Demographic Factors and Household Disease Prevalence in Tanzania

Abstract

Waste management is becoming a critical issue in Tanzania, especially in squatter settlements where 70–80% of the urban population lives without adequate infrastructure and services. This study, utilizing secondary data from the Tanzania Household Budget Survey 2017–2018, examined the relationship between waste management practices, demographic factors and household disease prevalence. Employing a binary logistic regression model, the study investigated how different waste disposal methods influence health outcomes among the households. Key findings indicate that age, sex and family size significantly impact disease risks while effective waste management practices such as recycling, selling waste to collectors, burning and composting significantly reduce disease prevalence. These results highlight the urgent need for government interventions to improve waste management systems. Moreover, the study recommends for the promotion of safer waste disposal methods, enhancing recycling efforts and implementing stricter regulations to mitigate health hazards and improve overall community well-being in Tanzanian urban areas.