Environmental Sanitation Practices in Traditional Markets of sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Environmental Sanitation is the principles and practice of effecting healthful and hygienic conditions in the environment to promote public health such as human excreta control, managing solid waste and wastewater, and pest and vector control. Hence, the objective of this work is to assess the environmental sanitation practices in Ondo Main Market in the City of Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria using standard appropriate techniques by administering. 249 structured questionnaires out of which 228 were retrieved. The study found that majority (76.3%) of the market operators cover a distance of 100 meters and above for water supply. Others cover distances of 51 to 100 meters (18.0%), and few cover distances of less than 50metres (5.7%). On access to toilet facilities, while 85.1% of the traders travel 100 meters and above to use the toilets, 10.1% travel 50-100 meters, while 4.8% travel less than 50 meters to use the toilet. The study concluded that the environmental sanitation practice in Ondo Main Market is inadequate. The study recommends that the government and the management of the market should bring water supply and toilet facilities closer to the market to enhance its environmental sanitation. This study adds to existing knowledge by revealing the state of sanitation of Nigerian traditional markets using Ondo Main Market as a case study.