An Assessment of the Environmental and Public Health Consequences of Improper Waste Disposal Management in Ogbomoso, Oyo State

Abstract

This study evaluates the implications of solid waste disposal management on the environment and human health in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the required data. 143 copies of questionnaire was successfully retrieved. Data were analyzed using mean score analysis. Findings revealed that the most common methods of waste disposal in the study area included burning of refuse (64.3%), dumping at landfill sites (58%), and engaging private waste collectors (55.2%). In terms of contributing factors to improper waste disposal include was insufficient waste collection facilities, which ranked highest with a mean score of 4.24. This was followed by poor government policies on waste disposal, ranked second with a mean score of 3.91. The least significant factor was urbanization and population growth, which ranked fifth with a mean score of 3.22. With respect to the environmental and health impacts of improper waste disposal, the most significant consequence identified was the spread of diseases, which ranked first with a mean score of 4.02. This was followed by soil and water contamination (mean = 3.91), air pollution and unpleasant odour (mean = 3.38), and ecosystem disruption (mean = 3.36). The impact with the lowest perceived significance was stigma and shame, which ranked fifth with a mean score of 2.93. The study concludes that for effective solid waste management, the following measures should be prioritized: improvement of waste collection facilities, enforcement of effective waste management policies, public awareness campaigns, use of suitable transportation systems, implementations of waste reduction targets.