Impact of the Faecal Sludge Dump on the Health of the People of Nomayos (Yaounde-Cameroon)

Abstract

The majority of faecal sludge in Yaounde is disposed of as uncontrolled discharge from Nomayos, a small village located at 15km of South West of Yaoundé without treatment. This uncontrolled discharge is found beside the Avo’o river whose waters are used for multiple purposes by the people of this locality. The objective of this study is to contribute to understanding the impact of the uncontrolled landfill on the health of the populations of Nomayos through Ecosystem Approaches to Human Health. The results show that the people are aware of the presence of (the) uncontrolled discharge of faecal sludge. They neglect or ignore the potential health risks that may be caused by sludge, clinging instead to the financial revenues from the management of this uncontrolled faecal sludge discharge. People get their water from wells and springs. The average concentrations of helminths eggs in environmental components are 3601 eggs/L in sludge, 857 eggs/L in irrigation waters, 688 eggs/L in wells and 60 eggs/L for springs. There is a significant difference at 5% between the complaints of the people and drinking water. In addition, 54% of inhabitants are infected by various parasites; children under five years and women farmers are the most affected. The Parasites identified are: Ascaris lumbricoides, Entamoeba hystolytica, Trichuris trichuira, Giadia intestinalis and Angulula sp. From the findings, it is urgent to implement a treatment plant sludge.