Basic 7 · Social Studies · Environmental Issues
Causes and Effects of Poor Sanitation
In this topic you will examine the causes of poor sanitation in Ghanaian communities and explain its effects on health, the economy and the environment.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain the causes of poor sanitation
- Describe the effects of poor sanitation on health
- Describe the effects of poor sanitation on the economy and environment
What you already know
- Types of sanitation challenges
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Environment
- Sub-strand
- Environmental Issues
- Indicator
- B7.1.1.1.1 – Examine ways of dealing with sanitation challenges in the environment
Introduction
Why are some streets full of rubbish while others are clean? Poor sanitation has many causes, some linked to people's attitudes and others to a lack of facilities.
1. Attitudinal Causes
| Cause | Explanation |
|---|---|
| indiscipline | people throw rubbish anywhere even when bins are nearby |
| ignorance | some people do not know the dangers of poor sanitation |
| "it is not my business" attitude | people believe cleaning is only the work of the Assembly |
| bad habits | spitting, urinating and defecating in public |
| disobedience to by-laws | people ignore sanitation rules |
2. Causes Related to Facilities and Management
| Cause | Explanation |
|---|---|
| lack of bins and dumping sites | people have nowhere to put refuse |
| irregular refuse collection | bins overflow before they are emptied |
| lack of toilets | many homes and public places have no toilets |
| poor drainage | drains are too small, uncovered or not built |
| rapid population growth | more people produce more waste than towns can manage |
| poverty | some families cannot afford toilets or refuse collection fees |
| weak enforcement | sanitation by-laws are rarely enforced |
3. Rural-Urban Migration
Many young people move from villages to cities such as Accra and Kumasi in search of jobs. This increases the population of the cities faster than houses, toilets and drains can be built. Slums develop, where many people share few facilities, and sanitation becomes very poor.
4. Attitude Is the Key
Many experts believe that changing attitudes is as important as providing facilities. Even where bins are provided, littering continues if people do not care. Education, good examples from leaders and strict enforcement of by-laws are needed to change attitudes.
5. Urbanisation and Unplanned Building
Many towns in Ghana grow without proper planning. Houses are built without toilets, along waterways or on land meant for drains. Some people build kiosks and shops on top of gutters. When planning rules are ignored, refuse trucks cannot reach some areas and drains cannot be built, making sanitation very difficult to manage. Following building regulations is therefore important for a clean environment.
New words
- indiscipline
- Lack of self-control and obedience to rules.
- by-law
- A rule made by a local assembly.
- rural-urban migration
- Movement of people from villages to towns.
- slum
- A crowded, poor area of a town with poor facilities.
Summary
- Poor sanitation is caused by attitudes such as indiscipline, ignorance and bad habits.
- It is also caused by a lack of bins, toilets and drains, irregular collection, poverty and weak enforcement.
- Rapid population growth and rural-urban migration overload city facilities.
Class activity: Cause Tree
- Draw a tree with "poor sanitation" on the trunk.
- Write the causes on the roots and the effects on the branches.
- Present your tree to the class.
You need: Used sachet-water bag, Labelled waste bins, Printed photographs of a local Ghanaian drain, Refuse site
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Throwing rubbish anywhere is an example of…
- A. indiscipline
- B. cleanliness
- C. recycling
- D. composting
Show answer
Answer: indisciplineAttitude.2. A rule made by a local assembly is a…
- A. by-law
- B. constitution
- C. treaty
- D. bill
Show answer
Answer: by-lawLocal rule.3. Rural-urban migration can worsen sanitation in cities.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TruePopulation growth.4. A crowded, poor area of a town is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: slumPoor facilities.5. State three causes of poor sanitation related to facilities.
Show answer
Answer: Lack of bins, lack of toilets, poor drainage (or irregular collection).Any three.6. Why is changing attitudes important in solving sanitation problems?
Show answer
Answer: Without good attitudes, people will still litter even when bins and toilets are provided.Attitude.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Environment
- Sub-strand
- Environmental Issues
- Indicator
- B7.1.1.1.1 – Examine ways of dealing with sanitation challenges in the environment
Introduction
Poor sanitation does not just look ugly. It makes people sick, destroys property and costs the nation a great deal of money.
1. Effects on Health
| Disease | Link to poor sanitation |
|---|---|
| cholera | faeces contaminate water and food |
| typhoid fever | contaminated water and food |
| malaria | mosquitoes breed in stagnant water in choked drains |
| diarrhoea and dysentery | flies carry germs from faeces to food |
| bilharzia | worms from contaminated water |
| respiratory diseases | smoke from burning refuse |
2. Effects on the Economy
When people are sick, they cannot work or go to school. Families spend money on medicine and hospital bills. The government spends large sums on treating diseases, clearing drains and repairing flood damage. Dirty towns also discourage tourists and investors, reducing income and jobs.
3. Effects on the Environment
- Choked drains cause floods that destroy homes, roads and lives.
- Refuse and waste water pollute rivers, lagoons and the sea, killing fish.
- Burning refuse pollutes the air.
- Bad smells and ugly sights make communities unpleasant.
- Plastics harm animals and block waterways.
4. Social Effects
Poor sanitation also affects dignity. People living without toilets, especially women and girls, may feel unsafe and ashamed when they must go into the bush at night. Children may miss school during illness outbreaks. A clean environment, on the other hand, gives people pride in their community.
5. A Case Study
The flood of 3rd June 2015 in Accra, together with a fire at a filling station near Kwame Nkrumah Circle, killed many people. Investigations showed that blocked drains and buildings on waterways made the flooding worse. The disaster reminded the nation that poor sanitation can have deadly effects.
6. Effects on Education
Poor sanitation also affects education. During outbreaks of cholera or other diseases, schools may close or many learners may fall ill and miss lessons. Schools without clean toilets and water lose learners, especially girls. A clean school environment helps learners stay healthy, attend regularly and concentrate on learning.
New words
- contaminate
- To make something dirty or harmful.
- investor
- A person who puts money into a business.
- dignity
- Self-respect and the respect of others.
- lagoon
- A body of water separated from the sea by a sandbar.
Summary
- Poor sanitation causes diseases such as cholera, typhoid, malaria and diarrhoea.
- It costs families and the nation money and discourages tourists and investors.
- It causes floods and pollution and affects people's dignity.
Class activity: Effects Role Play
- Act out a short drama showing how poor sanitation leads to disease in a family.
- Show how the family and community respond.
- Discuss the lessons learned.
You need: Used sachet-water bag, Labelled waste bins, Printed photographs of a local Ghanaian drain, Refuse site
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which disease spreads through stagnant water in choked drains?
- A. malaria
- B. tuberculosis
- C. measles
- D. asthma
Show answer
Answer: malariaMosquito breeding.2. Poor sanitation affects the economy because it…
- A. increases medical costs and discourages tourists
- B. creates more tourists
- C. reduces disease
- D. cleans rivers
Show answer
Answer: increases medical costs and discourages touristsEconomic cost.3. Burning refuse pollutes the air.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueSmoke.4. Self-respect and the respect of others is ______.
Show answer
Answer: dignityHonour.5. State three health effects of poor sanitation.
Show answer
Answer: Cholera, typhoid, malaria (or diarrhoea, respiratory disease).Any three.6. What lessons can be learned from the June 2015 Accra flood?
Show answer
Answer: Drains must be kept clear and buildings must not be put on waterways, because poor sanitation can cause deadly disasters.Lessons.
Homework
- Write a short report on how poor sanitation has affected a community you know.