SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION AND DISEASES AMONG STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITY OF GHANA LEGON BY EWUNTOMAH EMMANUEL MAHAMAH A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON, IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF A MASTERS DEGREE IN PUBLIC HEALTH (MPH) DEGREE APRIL, 2009 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ii DECLARATION I declare that this dissertation has been the result of my own field research. I sincerely therefore declare that this dissertation has not been accepted in substance of any other degree nor is it being concurrently submitted in candidature for any other degree. Candidate/Student ___________________________ Ewuntomah Emmanuel Mahamah Academic Supervisors ____________________________ Mr. Henry Noye-Nortey SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH ____________________________ Professor Edwin. A. Afari SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh iii DEDICATION To My Mother, Wife, Son and Senior Brother Mariamu Mahamah Rubabatu Iddrisu Koji Micdad Ewuntomah And Bumawura J.M. Mahamah University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT It takes a lot of effort, commitment and support to achieve scholarly ambition. I therefore wish to acknowledge with much thanks the support I received from many people who in diverse ways helped me to produce this work. I wish to register my sincere acknowledgement to the School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Regional Health Directorate, Tamale and Ghana Health Service for their kind support and funding. My heartfelt appreciation is extended to my supervisors, Mr. Henry Noye-Nortey and Professors E. A. Afari for the interest, guidance, suggestions and encouragement that greatly helped to achieve this work. I also wish to acknowledge with much appreciation the support I received from the Directors of University Health Services, and Physical Development, Hall Tutors and Masters, and all participants in this study. I equally recognize the assistance I received from individuals especially Ms. Priscilla Amuah, Mr. Amos K. Laar, Mr. Moses Chonia, Michael Jeroen Adjabeng, Mark A. Abugri, Azurago Thomas, Charity Azantilow, and Elliot Alormale. Indeed scholarship is a co-operative enterprise (Twumasi 2005). Allah Bless you all. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh v ABSTRACT The recent emergence of concern about environmental sanitation is not a new problem in Ghana. In most third world countries provision of sanitary facilities lag behind the growing population thereby increasing the risk of sanitation related infections among the people especially in schools. This study assessed the level of environmental sanitation and disease conditions among students on the campus of the University of Ghana, Legon. It was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Data for the study was obtained using both qualitative and quantitative study techniques. Qualitative data was collected using in-depth interviews, observation and physical inspection of sanitary facilities in the residential and lecture halls and the general grounds while structured self-administered questionnaires were administered to resident students in the traditional halls. Data on diseases reported by students at the University health facilities during clinical consultations was obtained from the facility registers. Ethical review was obtained from the ethical review committee of Ghana Health Service. All statistical analysis was done using statistical software packages of EPI Info (version 3.3.2) and SPSS (version 16.0). The study found that Sanitation in the halls had improved tremendously with the outsourcing of janitorial services to private contractors. However, environmental sanitation and waste management in the University remained poor. Accommodation and Sanitary facilities in the traditional halls were inadequate despite expansion in toilets and washrooms. About 80 percent of disease conditions reported in the University health institutions were linked to environmental sanitation, personal hygiene and overcrowding. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh vi Continuous health education of student and the University community on good sanitation and outsourcing of curatorial services and refuse evacuation to contractors remains the best indicator for waste management and improved health of students University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh vii Table of Contents DECLARATION ................................................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION ..................................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ...................................................................................................................... iv ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................................... v LIST F TABLES.....................................................................................................................................ix LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................................ x ACRONYMS .......................................................................................................................................xi DEFINITION OF TERMS..................................................................................................................... xiii CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................................... 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background Information ................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem .............................................................................................. 2 1.3 Rationale for Study ......................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Study Objectives............................................................................................................. 4 CHAPTER TWO .................................................................................................................................. 6 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Environmental Sanitation, Hygiene and Sanitary Facilities in Schools .............................. 6 2.2 Population Growth, Water, Hygiene and Sanitary Facilities in Institutions ...................... 8 2.3 Maintenance and Sanitation in Halls of Residence .......................................................... 9 2.4 Water, Hygiene and Sanitation and Health ..................................................................... 9 CHAPTER THREE .............................................................................................................................. 14 3.0 METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................... 14 3.1 Study Type ................................................................................................................... 14 3.2 Study Location.............................................................................................................. 14 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh viii 3.3 Variables ...................................................................................................................... 15 3.4 Sampling ...................................................................................................................... 15 3.5 Data Collection Techniques/Methods and Tools ........................................................... 18 3.6 Data Processing and Analysis ........................................................................................ 21 CHAPTER FOUR ............................................................................................................................... 23 4.0 RESULTS ........................................................................................................................... 23 4.1 Background Characteristics of Respondents ................................................................. 23 4.2 Health Seeking Behaviour of Students .......................................................................... 24 4.3 Residential Facilities and Student Population................................................................ 25 4.4 State of Hygiene and Sanitation in Halls of Residence and Lecture Halls, University of Ghana Legon 2008 ................................................................................................................... 28 4.5. Condition of Environmental Sanitation on the Main Grounds on the Campus of the University of Ghana, Legon ...................................................................................................... 33 4.6 Sanitation Facilities in Halls of Residence, University of Ghana, Legon 2008.................. 37 4.7 Disease Conditions that Affect Resident Students in the University of Ghana, Legon .... 37 CHAPTER 5 ...................................................................................................................................... 48 5.0 DISCUSSION ..................................................................................................................... 48 5.1 Residential Facilities and Student Population in the Traditional Halls ................................ 48 5.2 Environmental Sanitation on the Campus of the University of Ghana, Legon .................... 53 5.3 Common Diseases of Resident Students in the University of Ghana, Legon ...................... 57 CHAPTER SIX.................................................................................................................................... 60 6.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................... 60 6.1 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................ 60 6.2 RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................... 60 REFERRENCES .................................................................................................................................. 64 APPENDICES .................................................................................................................................... 68 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ix LIST F TABLES 3.1 Data Collection Techniques/Methods & Tool for Data Collection 2008 UG, Legon........................................................................................................................ .19 4.1 Age Grouping of Respondents.................................................................................23 4.2 Academic Level of Respondents...............................................................................24 4.3 Reasons for Failure to Seek Health Care in University Health Facilities, University of Ghana, Legon......................................................................................25 4.4 Number of Students in a Room by Hall of Residence 2008........................................26 4.5 Number of Students per Room by Level and by Sex University of Ghana, Legon 2008......................................................................................................27 4.6 State of Hygiene and Sanitation in Halls of Resident by Hall University of Ghana, Legon............................................................................................................29 4.7 Alternative Places Students use when Water stops Flowing in the Halls, University of Ghana, Legon.......................................................................................30 4.8 Unapproved Areas where Students Defaecate Indiscriminately on Campus, University of Ghana, Legon.......................................................................................31 4.9 Number of Times Toilets and Urinals are cleaned in Halls of Resident University of Ghana, Legon........................................................................................31 4.10 Level of General Environmental Sanitation on the grounds of the main Campus of University of Ghana, Legon.......................................................................33 4.11 Level of General Environmental Sanitation on the grounds of the main Campus by Halls University of Ghana, Legon.............................................................34 4.12 Summary of Reported Diseases by Semester, University Health Institutions.............38 4.13 Age-Specific Attendance of University of Ghana Students at University Health Facilities 2008................................................................................................39 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh x 4.14 Health Services Utilization by Hall of Residence, University of Ghana Legon 2008...............................................................................................................40 4.15 Health Services Utilization at OPD by Level of Students, University of Ghana Legon 2008................................................................................................................41 4.16 Major Causes of Out-Patients Attendants between 2000 & 2008 Academic Years, University of Ghana, Legon............................................................42 4.17 Major Causes of In-Patients Attendants between 2000 & 2008 Academic Years, University of Ghana, Legon.............................................................44 4.18 Ten Most Frequently Reported Diseases at the Student Clinic (OPD) By Halls of Residence, University of Ghana, Legon between 2000 & 2008 Academic Years........................................................................................................45 4.19 Students Health Facility Attendance (OPD) by Sex, University of Ghana Legon 2000 & 2008..................................................................................................46 4.20 Utilization of Health Services at In-Patient Level by Sex, University of Ghana Legon 2000 & 2008..................................................................................................47 LIST OF FIGURES University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh xi 3.1 Map of Ghana Showing the Campus of the University of Ghana, Legon....................14 4.1 Condition of Hygiene and Sanitation in Halls of Resident University of Ghana, Legon...........................................................................................................................28 4.2 Refuse Container around one of the Halls on the Campus of University of Ghana, Legon.............................................................................................................35 4.3 Refuse Scattered around the site of a Refuse Container near one of the Halls, University of Ghana, Legon.............................................................................36 4.4 Distribution by Hall of Ten Most Frequently Reported Diseases at OPD 2000-2008, University of Ghana.................................................................................43 5.1 Picture showing Weeds/Bush between two Halls in the University of Ghana, Legon...............................................................................................................54 ACRONYMS ARI Acute Respiratory Infection CDC Centre for Disease Control CI Confidence Interval University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh xii GH¢ Ghana Cedi GHS Ghana Health Service GIT Gastroenteritis GSS Ghana Statistical Service IDI In-Depth Interview IRI Internet Research Institute JCR Junior Common Room MDGs Millennium Development Goals OPD Out Patients Department PTA Parent Teachers Association TREND Training, Research and Networking for Development SCD Sickle Cell Disease UG University of Ghana UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNICEF United Nations International Children Emergency Fund UNWATER United Nations official Mechanism for follow up of the water related decisions URTI Upper Respiratory Tract Infection USA United States of America UTI Urinary Tract Infection VIP Ventilated Improved Pit latrine WC Water Closet WHO World Health Organization SOS Shit-on-shit University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh xiii DEFINITION OF TERMS ‘Perching’: This is a situation where a student who is not officially given a place or room in a particular hall is able to secure accommodation with the assistant of the bona fide member of a particular room and benefit from facilities of that room or hall ‘Percher’ A student who reside in a hall or room without being officially provided a place of residence in that hall or room but with the help of a bona fide member of the room University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh xiv Sanitation related Disease: Diseases whose predisposition is associated with insanitary conditions e.g. diarrhoea, enteritis, etc. Sanitary Facility: This is a facility such as a toilet, urinal, washroom, etc. which is clean and promote hygiene by preventing human contact from hazard of waste to promote health Shit-on-shit This is a situation where students defaecate on each others faeces as a result of lack of water to flush the toilets Poor Sanitation: Sanitation condition that is not very clean and hygienic Satisfactory Sanitation: Sanitation condition which is clean, hygienic and generally acceptable Good Sanitation: Sanitation condition that is quiet clean, hygienic, good, pleasant and acceptable ‘Free Range’: The indiscriminate defaecation in bushes around the University by students Waste Management: The collection, transportation, processing, recycling or disposal of waste materials such as garbage, pieces of paper, plastic rubber bags etc. produced by human activity, and is generally undertaken to reduce their effects on human health, the environment or aesthetics University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh xv University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 1 CHAPTER ONE 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Information Sanitation was originally understood to mean the promotion of hygiene and prevention of disease by maintenance of sanitary conditions. In the nineteenth century the term sanitation was understood to relate to health, or used in the disposal especially of domestic waterborne waste (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, eleventh edition). The concept has evolved significantly. The 1999 Protocol on Water and Health to the 1992 Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes defined sanitation as "the collection, transport, treatment, and disposal or reuse of human excreta or domestic wastewater, whether through collective systems or by installations serving a single household or undertaking"(WHO, 2008 update). Worldwide, millions of people lack access to reliable basic sanitation facilities. UNICEF (2006) has noted that about 2.6 billion people worldwide – two in five – do not have access to improved sanitation facilities. Barely more than one third of the population uses adequate sanitation facilities in West and Central Africa (36%), South Asia (37%) and Eastern and Southern Africa (38 percent) UNICEF (2006) noted. Indeed lack of safe water and sanitation facilities is the world‟s single largest cause of illness. The toll on children is especially high as about 4,500 children die each day from unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation facilities (UNICEF 2007) while countless others suffer from poor health, diminished productivity, and missed opportunities for education. Schools partly determine children's health and well-being by providing a healthy or unhealthy environment. Although water and sanitation facilities in schools are increasingly recognized University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 2 as fundamental for promoting good hygiene behaviour and children's well-being, (UNICEF 2007), many schools have very poor sanitation facilities. For some, the conditions vary from inappropriate and inadequate sanitary facilities to the outright lack of latrines and safe water for drinking and hygiene (UNICEF 2007). Poor sanitation means that people especially students would have direct contact with environmental contaminants, which may result in sanitation related diseases. The challenge of inadequate sanitation facilities has burdened humanity for centuries (Checkley, 2004). The University of Ghana campus is no exception where there is overcrowding and greater stress on facilities that were supposed to cater for a lesser population than was currently witnessed. 1.2 Statement of the Problem It is increasingly accepted that environment and sanitation factors are significant determinants of health and illness in poor countries (Shyramsundar, 2002). Statistics estimates that about 400 million people or one-third of the population in developing countries do not have safe drinking water and safe sanitary facilities (Nsiah-Gyaabah 2002).Similarly many studies on the impact of water, environmental sanitation and hygiene and health indicate that lack of sanitation and hygiene puts people at highest risk of diarrhoea a disease resulting from lack of safe water and sanitation (Warner 1997, Caincross et. al. 2003, Yahaya 2007,). Hunt (2006) and UNICEF (2007) observed that inadequate availability of water for hygiene and lack of access to sanitation facilities together contributed to about 88 percent of deaths from diarrhoea and other sanitation related diseases. Ghana Statistical Service (2005) further reiterated that only 4.8 percent of refuse was collected by local authorities and about 20 percent of the population still had no toilet facility as at 2003. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 3 The problem of poor environmental sanitation in Ghana like many other Sub-Saharan countries (Bukari, 2008) and on the campus of the University of Ghana, Legon (Legon Shelter, 2006) is a reality. The state of poor environmental sanitation on the campus of the University ranges from choked gutters, weedy and littered environment to inadequate sanitation facilities (Legon Shelter, 2006), overflowing refuse containers and uncontrolled sale of food in insanitary markets. Indeed two earlier studies by Owusu (1996) and Akroway (1997) in the University of Ghana and subsequent reports from the Legon Shelter (2006) strongly indicated that sanitation in the halls was a major problem. Though the effect of inadequate water, poor sanitation and unhygienic practices among university students in the University of Ghana had not been explored and documented in detail, it was speculated that insanitary conditions coupled with overcrowding in the halls of residence and lack of control of food vendors might be a recipe for health hazard in the university. This was heightened by an outbreak of food poison in the University in October 2007. This situation clearly indicates that the university faces major challenges brought about by the mounting insanitary and environmental conditions that have the potential to cause diseases and disease epidemics as witness in October 2007. 1.3 Rationale for Study The Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 emphasized sanitation in schools as a major priority action (UNICEF 2006). Similarly, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2008 as the year of sanitation in view of the poor progress the world has made towards achieving the sanitation target in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Indeed in most third world countries including Ghana, the provision of sanitary facilities lag behind the growing population thereby exposing the people to high risk of communicable diseases related to water, hygiene and sanitation (Nsiah- University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 4 Gyaabah 2002, Caincross et. al. 2003, TREND 2005, Hunt 2006). Research has shown that health and education are inseparable: when students are ill, or where the school environment is unhealthy or threatening, school attendance is sure to suffer (Yulukantigil et. al 2002, TREND 2005). TREND (2005) reiterated that a healthy and secure learning environment is necessary for student participation and learning. Adequate sanitation is therefore a foundation for development (Yahaya 2007) and the social and environmental health cost of ignoring the need to address sanitation issues including hygiene and water are far too great (UNWATER 2006). Poor state of environmental sanitation in some halls of residence in the University of Ghana is well noted and documented (Owusu 1996 & Akroway 1997). The Legon Shelter (2006) observed that while population on campus is growing steadily from year to year there was no corresponding sanitary facilities to accommodate the increasing number of students. This dramatic increase in the student population was not matched by adequate sanitary provision as sanitary facilities remain virtually the same over the years (Legon Shelter 2006). The population increase has also resulted in mass littering of the campus, indiscriminate and unauthorised dumping, overcrowding in halls and indiscriminate eating of unhygienically prepared foods in the markets. This situation may be compounded by the current student population of 28,482 in the university in the 2007/2008 academic year (UG 2007) and this will definitely have implications for water, hygiene, sanitation and accommodation conditions and health in the university. The purpose of this study is to provide the necessary information to inform policy that will improve sanitation and health care in the University. 1.4 Study Objectives 1.4.1 Main Objective University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 5 To assess the level of environmental sanitation and disease conditions among students on the campus of the University of Ghana, Legon. 1.4.2 Specific Objectives To describe the level of sanitation and hygiene in the halls of residence and sanitary facilities in lecture halls To assess the state of general environmental sanitation on the grounds of the campus of the University To assess the adequacy of existing accommodation and sanitary facilities for resident students To describe disease conditions that affect resident students in the University University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 6 CHAPTER TWO 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Environmental Sanitation, Hygiene and Sanitary Facilities in Schools Although the importance of water and sanitary facilities for schools is acknowledged, in practice the sanitary situation in many schools is deplorable (Cairncross 1998, 2003). This author affirmed that while efforts were made to provide sanitation facilities in schools it is often found that toilets and latrines are either absent or do not function properly; latrines are padlocked because children are not trusted to use them properly; children, specifically girls, do not attend school because appropriate sanitation facilities are lacking. If school sanitation and hygiene facilities are absent, or are badly maintained and used, schools can become a health hazard (Akbar 2000). The lack of and/or poor maintenance of water and sanitation facilities in schools perpetuates the cycle of water-related illnesses and has debilitating effects on school attendance and children‟s potential to learn in school Akbar (2000). In a situation report in Burkina Faso on water and sanitation in six Sub-Saharan African countries, UNICEF (2000) showed variations in water and sanitation facility distribution between homes and schools. For most of the countries, the report observed lower coverage in school water and latrines compared to the general population and low state of usage and maintenance. The same report asserted that in Cote d‟Ivoire only 30% and 32% of schools respectively had water and latrines. In the same study in Yopougon, Cote d‟Ivoire 62% of water closets (WCs) did not work while there was about one WC or latrine per 381 students UNICEF (2000). UNICEF (2000) further reported that in a surveye of 90 primary schools in crisis-affected districts of north and west Uganda it was found that only 2% had adequate latrine facilities. In another study in Ecuador, latrines designed for use by 30 to 40 pupils, in reality served as many as 180 pupils (WHO, 1994). Experience shows clearly that mere University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 7 provision of sanitary services, be it within schools or at household level, will not lead to their sustainability. The facilities need to be maintained, and in order to be maintained there must be a recognized need and demand for water as well as sanitation at schools. According to a pilot survey of 14 countries in primary schools in some of the poorest countries in Africa, it was found that the schools have inadequate sanitation facilities (UNICEF, 1997). The survey report further stressed that the average number of users of sanitation facilities is often higher than 50 students per toilet in city schools and stressed that none of the 14 countries studied had increased the number of school toilet by more than 8% since 1990, suggesting that they are barely managing to keep up with the rise in student populations. The use of toilets and latrines are a basic right and an essential way of controlling sanitation problems at source therefore in examining the larger issues of waste disposal, we should not forget the role played by the humble latrine noted UNICEF (2001). Far more people lack access to a properly managed toilet or latrine, than to water (WHO, 1994). In two recent surveys in Uganda, it was observed that only a third of schools had adequate sanitation (WHO 2001). The studies reported that there was only one toilet for every 700 Ugandan pupils, compared to one for every 328 pupils in 1995 (WHO 2001). Improved hygiene and sanitation facilities including proper use and maintenance of the facilities and good personal and domestic hygiene are a crucial health intervention that can lead to the realization of full health benefits (Carr and Strauss, 2001). In a survey in the southern Province of Zambia, Graczyk et.al (2003) demonstrated high prevalence of Endolimax nana and Blastocystis hominis which are associated with diarrhoea and blamed this on deficient sanitation and low hygiene standards. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 8 Though there is not enough literature on the consequences of lack of adequate water, hygiene and sanitation facilities in the university, Owusu (1996) and Akroway (1997) bemoaned the fast deterioration in hall sanitary facilities and reported that every floor in Commonwealth hall had at least a toilet and a wash basin that was out of order or not functioning well, so also were the lights on the corridors. The two authors believed that a similar situation existed in the other (traditional) halls of residence. 2.2 Population Growth, Water, Hygiene and Sanitary Facilities in Institutions Rapid growth in population in recent decades with centralized facilities and opportunities available in urban areas has created tremendous overcrowding in urban centres worldwide. Most of the developing nations are unable to meet the demand of the increased population not only in the cities, towns and villages but also in schools especially in tertiary institutions. Problems of high population density with an increased number of persons in limited space; results in an increase in solid waste generation, unhygienic surroundings and an increased demand for water supply and sanitation facilities are evident of this. It is one of the main reasons that rural and urban poor including school children frequently suffer from sanitation and water related diseases such as diarrhoea, typhoid, dysentery and cholera. WHO and UNICEF (2000) observed that approximately 1.1 billion (one-sixth) of the world‟s population has no access to dependable water supply and 2.4 billion (two-fifths) lack access to sanitation facilities and majority of these people live in Asia and Africa (Unicef 2002). A survey of sanitation facilities in schools in Bloomsbury, London by Jewekes & O‟connor (1990) found that 15 schools did not have the minimum number of toilets and hand basins established in the school premises, 18 of the toilets were not kept adequately clean. The authors described this situation as potential for the spread of infectious diseases. These problems are peculiar to Ghana. As early as the 1960s when University of Ghana‟s population was about 2,000 it was University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 9 observed that hall facilities were already inadequate to meet the student population (Agbodeka 1998, Akroway (1997). 2.3 Maintenance and Sanitation in Halls of Residence As the student population increased, demand for residential accommodation swelled up putting more stress on residential facilities in the university. As far back as late 1960 investigations revealed there were difficulties in providing adequate accommodation in the halls for the students (Agbodeka 1998). In his book „A History of University of Ghana: Half a Century of Higher Education‟ Agbodeka (1998) reported that a student cited Commonwealth hall as fast wearing away due to misuse, overuse and lack of maintenance. Similarly, Akroway (1997) observed “every room in Commonwealth hall had at least a toilet and a wash basin that were out of order or not functioning well, as also were the lights on the corridors”. Writing about the state of sanitation in the university, Owusu (1996) expressed regret that Legon Hall‟s students who in the past were described as „gentlemen‟ ”because of their neatness caused the Hall in 1990s to lose its fame as a result of indiscriminate littering of refuse around the Hall”. Owusu (1996) further noted that similar poor sanitation conditions were observed in the other halls in the university. 2.4 Water, Hygiene and Sanitation and Health Safe water is essential for life and health. Students‟ health is influenced in many ways by the physical and human environment of the school and as such they need a safe and caring human environment in school to be able to learn (TREND 2005). In Ghana, most schools were built without consideration for water and latrine facilities (TREND 2005) and where they were found, they were most invariably not adequate to cater for the needs of the school University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 10 population (Akroway 1997, Agbodeka 1998, UNICEF 2000 & 2002). In rural areas, TREND (2005) and Cairncross (2003) observed most schools only had a makeshift pit latrine provided mainly by the Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs). TREND (2005) stated that an unsanitary school environment is a major contributory factor to most diarrhoeal diseases, the largest preventable killer of children under five. Ghana Statistical Service (2000) in their report on Ghana Living Standard Survey and TREND (2005) observed that in Ghana, dehydration from severe diarrhoea was a major cause of ill health and death among children. Similarly one of the major causes of anaemia in children in Ghana was intestinal worms accounting for about 80 percent prevalence rate of anaemia among rural children (Ghana Health Services (2003). TREND (2005) noted that in most low-income countries, worm infestation was one of the greatest causes of diseases among children aged 5-14 years. Studies showed that the highest exposure to diarrhoea causing agents was through the use of contaminated water, poor excreta disposal and unhygienic practices (TREND 2005). The developing countries in Asia and Africa face a difficult challenge in dealing with water- and sanitation related infections. Levine et al. (1976) reported cholera and diarrhoea outbreaks were as a result of the consumption of contaminated tube-well water in Bangladesh. Diarrhoeal diseases are a major cause of sickness and death among young children in most developing countries (Feachem et al. 1983). Affirming this Cairncross et al. (1990) characterized poor peoples‟ life in the third world as continuous ill health. The authors made the painful statement that „most poor die young in the third world‟ as a result of poor sanitation. Again WHO and UNICEF (2000) reiterated that about 4 billion cases of diarrhoea occurred every year due to insanitary conditions and they caused 2.2 million deaths worldwide. Expressing similar sentiments, Snyder & Merson (1982) noted that 744–1,000 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 11 million episodes and 4.6 million deaths due to diarrhoeal diseases in children under 5 years of age in Africa, Asia (excluding China) and Latin America occur. Water, sanitation and hygiene are associated with other diseases, such as trachoma, worm-related illnesses and those caused by intestinal worms (ascariasis and hookworm) Graczyk et.al (2002). Worm infestations predominately affect children of school age resulting in reduced physical growth, weakened physical fitness and impaired cognitive functions observed (UNICEF 2006). Reporting further UNICEF (2006) emphasized that as the intensity of infection increases, academic performance and school attendance decline substantially. According to the WHO (2007), the number of cholera cases during 2006 was 236,896, with 6,311 deaths in 52 countries, a rise of 79% on the previous year. The importance of sanitation in preventing cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases was recognised in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which set a target of halving the number of people without access to basic sanitation by 2015. A review of the evidence from several studies (Press & Mariotti 2000) suggested that improving personal, domestic and community hygiene and water would provide a sustainable reduction in the spread of trachoma. Gwatkin and Guillot (1999) have claimed that diarrhoea accounts for 11% of all deaths in the poorest 20% of all countries. This toll according to them could be reduced by a key measure such as improving water supplies, sanitation facilities and hygiene practices by 26%. Even more impressive, deaths due to diarrhoea were reduced by 65% with these same improvements (Esrey et al., 1991). Of the 2.2 million people that die from diarrhoea each year, many of those deaths are caused by one bacterium - Shigella. Shekhar et al. (1995) in a study of primary school children in Malaysia reiterated that improved water supply, toilet facilities and sanitation have lowered the prevalence of waterborne diseases in the study area. Simple hand washing with soap and water reduces Shigella and other diarrhoea transmission by 35% (Kotloff et al., 1999; Khan, 1982 & White et. al 2001). University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 12 Human excreta have been implicated in the transmission of many infectious diseases including cholera, typhoid, infectious hepatitis, polio, cryptosporidiosis, and ascariasis. WHO estimates that 2.1 million people die annually from diarrhoeal diseases and that 10% of the population of the less-industrialised world suffer from parasitic worm infections related to improper waste and excreta management (WHO, 2000; WHO, 2000b WHO, 2001). Nearly two million of these deaths are in children of less-industrialised countries (WHO, 1999). In the United States of America, the number of detected waterborne disease outbreaks and the number of affected individuals per outbreak has increased since 1940 (Hunter, 1997). In a survey of 1,062 pre-school children in the Niger Delta, Arene et. al. (1986) found that there were high rates of intestinal parasites (77.6%) among the school children. The authors associated the high infection rate to poor sanitary conditions prevalent in the area. Another study conducted among 2,500 secondary school students in Calabar, Nigeria parasitic infection among the students showed that amoebiasis caused by Entamoeba histolytica was prevalent in the school (Umeche 1983). The author attributed the infection to poor sanitation. It is important that children especially school children have potable water to drink and wash hands whilst in school to avoid contracting water and sanitation related infections (White et. al 2001). However the majority of schools, especially rural ones do not have water and sanitation facilities on the school compounds (TREND 2005) culminating in school children getting infected with sanitation related diseases. In a study of the effect of hand hygiene on illness rate among students in university residence halls, White et. al (2001) confirmed that hand hygiene using alcohol gel sanitizer decreases the incidence of upper respiratory illness University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term=%22Umeche%20N%22%5BAuthor%5D&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1 13 among students living in university residence halls from 14% to 39.9% and total improve illness to 20% and absenteeism. This study stretched the turf further to describe the health implication of lack of adequate water, hygiene and sanitation facilities on students in the University of Ghana. This was an area that had not been explored adequately in the University of Ghana though it is known that water and sanitation related infections plague children in first and second cycle schools. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 14 CHAPTER THREE 3.0 METHODOLOGY 3.1 Study Type This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study that used both qualitative and quantitative research methods to collect data on the campus of the University of Ghana. 3.2 Study Location The study took place in the University of Ghana campus, Legon (fig 1). Figure 1: Map of Ghana showing Greater Accra Region and the Campus of the University of Ghana, Legon 3.2.1 Geography University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 15 The University of Ghana is located on the Legon Hill, about twelve kilometres north-east of the centre of Accra on the Accra-Dodowa road (Agbodeka 1998). It is located on longitude 50 38‟3”N and latitude 00 11‟13”W (UG website, 2008). The University is the oldest and largest of all the five public universities in Ghana. 3.2.2 Student Population In 1970 when the university was fully established, the number of students on campus was in the region of 2,000 of which Legon, Akuafo and Volta halls accommodated 300 students each, Mensah Sarbah and Commonwealth halls had not less than 600 students‟ altogether and the annexes had a little over 600 (Agbodeka 1998). The actual figure in residence Agbodeka (1998) noted far exceeded these numbers because most non-residence students ended up “perching” with their friends in the halls. Though originally planned to be fully residential, only about one-third of the student population of 28,482 are currently accommodated in residence while about 5.11 percent perched in the halls (Legon Shelter 2006). 3.3 Variables Sex Health facilities Age Sanitation related diseases Students‟ level Student clinic Environment Reported diseases Sanitation Halls of residence Hygiene Accommodation Sanitary facilities Standard room size Level of sanitation Environmental quality 3.4 Sampling The study used both quantitative and qualitative research techniques. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 16 3.4.1 Study Population Six study populations were used. These were:  Residential students  Junior Common Room (JCR) Presidents  Hall Tutors/Masters  Director Physical Development  Director of University Health Services and  Sanitary labourers 3.4.2 Sample size 3.4.2.1 Sample Size for Qualitative Data The sample size for the qualitative data was twenty-two (22). They comprised five (5) Hall Masters/Tutors and Junior Common Room (JCR) presidents, the Directors for Physical Development and University Health Services. However, the Sanitary Labourers (10) made up of two (2) each from each of the five (5) traditional halls were randomly selected. 3.4.2.2 Sample Size for Residential Students Since the expected prevalence of the selected variables in the study population was not known, the sample size of 400 was chosen based on p equals 50% (0.50) or 95% confidence level with a margin of error of 5 percent using this formular: n = Z 2 P(1-P) (Appendix 6). d 2 3.4.3 Sampling Method 3.4.3.1 Selection of Halls University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 17 The University has ten halls and hostels. However, the five traditional halls namely Legon, Akuafo, Commonwealth, Volta and Mensah Sarbah were purposely selected for the study because they were the most challenged in terms of age of facilities, over crowding of students and insanitary facilities. 3.4.3.2 Selection of Rooms and Resident Students Multistage sampling technique was used to select rooms and resident students (including „perchers‟) in the halls. The following four-stage sampling procedure was used: i. In each hall, except Commonwealth hall which has no annexes, the main blocks were purposively selected. These were the original halls built to accommodate a maximum of two students with minimum number of sanitary facilities. They are therefore the most challenged in terms of residential facilities to house students. ii. In a selected main block, simple random technique was used to select a floor where to start the interview. The number of floors in the main block were identified and written on pieces of paper and one was randomly selected. iii. One each floor, simple random method was used to select rooms. The first room was selected using simple random technique (lottery method) where the rooms on the floor were numbered and the numbers written on pieces of paper and randomly selected one out of the number of pieces of paper. From the first room subsequent rooms to my right were selected. iv. In each selected room, two students were randomly selected using lottery method where the names of each student in the room was written on pieces of paper folded, mixed and selected without replacement till the two students University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 18 were picked This was followed till the 80 respondents were chosen from the main halls. 4.4.3.3 Selection of Respondents for In-Depth Interviews Hall Masters/Tutors, JCR presidents, and the Directors for Physical Development and University Health Services were purposively selected for In-Depth Interview (IDI) because they were responsible for maintaining the facilities being studied including the provision of sanitary facilities and health care services to the students. Their input was therefore needed to arrive at good results. 4.3.3.4 Selection of Sanitary Labourers for Interview Simple random sampling technique was used to select the sanitary labourers for in-depth interview. In each hall, two „Yes‟ and the rest „No‟ were written on pieces of paper (equal to the number of labourers), folded and mixed and selected by the labourers. The two respondents who picked „Yes‟ were then interviewed. 3.5 Data Collection Techniques/Methods and Tools The table 3.1 shows the data collection techniques and tools that were used to collect data from the respondents. The techniques comprise qualitative and quantitative ones. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 19 Table 3.1: Data Collection Techniques/Methods & Tools for data collect 2008 UG, Legon No. DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES DATA COLLECTION TOOLS 1. In-Depth Interview (IDI) Interview guide, Tape Recorder, Writing pad, pen 2. Observation/Physical inspection of sanitary facilities and the general environment/grounds Checklist and pencil 3. Review of health facility records Checklist, Data collection form, and pen 4. Interview of resident students Structured self administered questionnaire All instruments used for these techniques are at the appendix 2 and appendix 3. 3.5.2 Ethical Issues 3.5.2.1 Permission to Proceed Permission was sought from the Hall Master/Tutors, the Junior Common Rooms Executives, the Directors of Physical Development and University Health Services and the students. Permission to conduct the study was also solicited from the hall Masters/Tutors and the Directors for Physical Development and University Health Services by the School of Public Health. 3.5.2.2 Ethical Clearance The proposal protocol was first vetted and reviewed by the School of Public Health for appropriate and scientific content. The study proposal was then reviewed by the Ethical Review Committee of the Ghana Health Service. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 20 3.5.2.3 Respondents Consent Informed consent from respondents was obtained through oral communication and also using consent forms. Each participant was informed about the objectives, purpose and methods of the study. Confidentiality was guaranteed to protect respondent‟s privacy and rights. 3.5.3 Training of Research Assistants Research assistants were trained in the administration of questionnaires though it was a self- administered questionnaire. This was to help them to assist the respondents/students who needed support in filling out their responses. 3.5.4 Pre-test and Review of Instrument/Tools All the data collection techniques, instruments and tools were pre-tested to assess their appropriateness, consistency and flow. They were pre-tested on students who reside in Jubilee hall with similar characteristics who were not part of the study population. 3.5.5 Quality Control The following quality control checks were instituted to ensure that quality data was collected.  Data collected was checked in the halls to ensure that all information had been properly collected and recorded. Also completeness and consistencies in information recorded was checked.  Where a questionnaire was not filled out properly, the respondent was made to fill a new form. However where the student was unwilling to continue participation in the study he/she was replaced and the wrongly fill out form was discarded and excluded from the questionnaires collected. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 21  Where an inconsistency arose due to participants misunderstanding of the questions and a research assistant‟s failure to rectify the mistake, it was checked with the interviewer and responses corrected  Computer data entry and analysis including quality control checks and verification were made. The data was coded and entered into the computer These quality control checks were done by the supervisors and researcher immediately in the halls. 3.6 Data Processing and Analysis Data processing and statistical analysis was done manually and by computer. In both cases the data was coded to translate the responses to questions into numerical form for data entry and processing. Data entry and verification was done in both excel 8.0 and EPI-Info (version 3.3.2). However statistical analysis was done using SPSS (version 16.0) and EPI Info (version 3.3.2) 3.6.1 Statistical Analysis For the quantitative data appropriate measures of centrality (mean and median) and dispersion (standard deviation) was used. Frequencies were used for categorical data which were summarized in tables. 3.7 Limitation of Study The main limitation to this study was the non-availability of adequate and accurate data for determining the trend of the burden of diseases among resident students who used the university facilities. Most of the registers used to capture data were not found and at the same University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 22 time the computer with some data had been broken down. This therefore did not allow the study to obtain the required data for the period (2004 – 2008) under consideration. The second challenge was the use of observation, in-depth interview and record review. For instance the use of observation was subjective because not all events can directly and accurately be observed. This brought into question the reliability of the data since the assignment of the same category of event by different observers or the same observer at different times could lead to differences of opinions. Reliability was however, achieved through proper training of the research team and also through a thorough pre-testing of the interview schedules. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 23 CHAPTER FOUR 4.0 RESULTS 4.1 Background Characteristics of Respondents A total of 400 students made up of one hundred and sixty four (41%) females and two hundred and thirty six (59.0%) males were interviewed. The mean age of the students was 22.6 ± 3.33 SD. The youngest student was 18 years and the oldest 36 years. Seventy eight (20.2%) of the students were aged 22 years and slightly over 60% (236) were below 23 years with a median age of 22 years. About 26 percent (102) of the students were level 400 students. Three hundred and sixty three (90.8%) of the student sampled were Christians. Table 4.1a and 4.1b show respondents‟ basic characteristics. Majority (69.8%) were in the age group 20-24 and only five (1.2%) were above age 35 years table 4.1. Table 4.1: Age Grouping of Respondents Age Group Frequency % ___________________________________________________________________________ < 19 47 11.8 20 – 24 279 69.8 25 – 29 52 13.0 30 – 34 17 4.2 35+ 5 1.2 Total 400 100.0 ___________________________________________________________________________ Source: Ewuntomah E. Mahamah One third (N=133, 33.2%) of respondents in residence were level 100 students, probably in line with the university‟s, in-out and out-in, policy. Levels 100 (133) and 400 (102) students accounted for 58.7 percent of resident students who were sampled (table 4.2). University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 24 Table 4.2: Academic Level of Respondents Level Frequency % ___________________________________________________________________________ 100 133 33.2 200 78 19.5 300 80 20.0 400 102 25.5 600 5 1.2 700 2 0.5 TOTAL 400 100.0 Source: Ewuntomah E. Mahamah 4.2 Health Seeking Behaviour of Students Three hundred and twenty (80.0%) out of the 400 respondents fell ill on campus since they were admitted into the University. Over 50% of this number sought clinical consultation in the university health facilities. Two hundred and thirty six (60%) out of the 320 respondents who utilized the university health facilities were male students. The participants in the study (146) who did not use the health care services did so for various reasons. A high number of them (N=54, 37.0%) practised self medication while about a quarter of them (N=42, 28.8%) blamed their unwillingness to access the university health care services on long waiting time (28.8%) in obtaining services. Table 4.3 provides reasons for the students‟ failure to access health services in the facilities. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 25 Table 4.3: Reasons for Failure to Seek Health Care in University Health Facilities, University Of Ghana Legon Reason Frequency Percent Attitude of health workers towards clients Illness not considered serious Long waiting time Self medication 9 41 42 54 6.2 28.1 28.8 37.0 Total 146 100.0 Source: Ewuntomah E. Mahamah 4.3 Residential Facilities and Student Population On the average 5.8 students occupied a room originally designed to accommodate two students. Over a quarter (N=142, 35.5%) of the students sampled lived five in a room. In Mensah Sarbah and Legon halls as many as 14 and 16 students were found in some rooms that were allocated to five or eight students table 4.4. This was due mainly to „perching‟ by students. A Junior Common Room (JCR) executive recognised this when he asserted: “Yes students are overcrowded in the hall. We have about 1,500 students‟ allocated beds and closed to 800 perching” A Hall Master observed: “The hall was built with the thinking that there will be at most a maximum of two people in one room but we have five people in one room now, that is overcrowding” Placement of five students in a room was practised more in Volta hall where fifty six (70%) of the respondents live five in a room. Maximum number of student in a room in Volta hall was eight and minimum two. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 26 Tables 4.4 shows room occupancy by students in the five traditional halls on the campus of the university. Tables 4.4: Number of Students in a Room by Halls of Residence in 2008 Number of Students Hall Per Room AH 1 CH 2 LH 3 MSH 4 VH 5 TOTAL % ___________________________________________________________________________ 1 2 0 0 0 0 2 0.5 2 2 8 1 2 16 29 7.2 3 4 10 2 5 2 23 5.8 4 15 17 5 7 3 47 11.8 5 20 15 25 26 56 142 35.5 6 9 9 8 11 1 38 9.5 7 10 4 10 5 1 30 7.5 8 6 4 15 6 1 32 8.0 9 4 5 4 3 0 16 4.0 10 8 3 6 8 0 25 6.2 11 1 2 3 3 0 9 2.2 12 0 2 0 2 0 4 1.0 13 0 0 0 1 0 1 0.2 14 0 0 1 0 0 1 0.2 16 0 0 0 1 0 1 0.2 TOTAL 80 80 80 80 80 400 100.0 1 Akuafo Hall 2 Commonwealth Hall 3 Legon Hall 4 Mensah Sarbah Hall S Volta Hall University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 27 Tables 4.5 shows room occupancy by level of students. More males (N=236, 59%) than female student lived in residence. Table 4.5: Number of Students per Room, by Level and by Sex University of Ghana, Legon 2008 Academic Level of Students No. Of Students per Room 100 200 300 400 600 700 Total % ___________________________________________________________________________ 1 0 0 0 2 0 2 0.5 2 2 4 9 13 1 0 29 7.2 3 0 5 3 13 1 1 23 5.8 4 23 7 7 9 1 0 47 11.8 5 64 33 22 22 1 0 142 35.5 6 12 7 11 7 1 0 38 9.5 7 8 8 7 7 0 0 30 7.5 8 10 7 6 9 0 0 32 8.0 9 2 2 3 8 0 1 16 4.0 10 8 4 7 6 0 0 25 6.2 11 2 1 2 4 0 0 9 2.2 12 1 0 1 2 0 0 4 1.0 13 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0.28 14 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.2 16 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0.2 Total 133 78 80 102 5 2 400 100.0 ___________________________________________________________________________ The number of students living in a room was fairly distributed among levels 100 to 400 table 4.5. Slightly over a quarter (N=142, 35.5%) of all the levels live five in a room. However, more (N=64, 48.0%) level 100 students were in residence than the other levels. Some levels 100 and 200 students live fourteen and sixteen in a room. There was no female respondent who lived in a room alone as against their male colleagues in the other halls who enjoyed such status. Only male respondents live thirteen and more in a room. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 28 4.4 State of Hygiene and Sanitation in Halls of Residence and Lecture Halls, University of Ghana Legon 2008 4.4.1 Sanitation in the Halls One hundred and seventy nine (44.8%) respondents described state of cleanliness in the halls as satisfactory whilst over one third (30.0%) said hygiene and sanitation conditions in the halls was appalling (Figure 4.1). Figure 4.1 Source: Ewuntomah E. Mahamah 30 44.8 25.2 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 P e rc e n t Poor Satisfactory Good Condition of Sanitation Condition of Hygiene and Sanitation in Halls of Resident University ofGhana, Legon University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 29 Table 4.6 shows students‟ opinion on hygiene and sanitation in the halls. Twenty nine (36.2%) students in Volta hall described sanitation in the hall as satisfactory while 47 (58.8%) said it was good, clean and neat due to the privatization of janitorial service in the hall. Some respondents in Akuafo (25.0%), Commonwealth (37.5%), Legon (48.8%), and Mensah Sarbah (33.7%) halls perceived sanitation situation in their halls as poor despite the janitorial services being offered there by janitorial contractors since August 2007. The five contractors contracted to the halls since August 2007 were Makleans Janitorial Service, DAS Janitor Service Ltd, Mob Ventures, and J.L. Ventures. On the whole however, sanitation in the halls was satisfactory. Table 4.6: State of Hygiene and Sanitation in Halls of Residence University of Ghana, Legon 2008 State of Sanitation AH 1 CH 2 LH 3 MSH 4 VH 5 ____________________________________________________________________________ Poor 20 (25.0%) 30 (37.5%) 39 (48.8%) 27 (33.7%) 4 (5.0%) Satisfactory 43 (53.8%) 36 (45.0%) 29 (36.2%) 42 (52.5%) 29 (36.2%) Good 17 (21.2%) 14 (17.5%0 12 (15.0%) 11 (13.8%) 47 (58.8%) Total 80 (100.0%) 80 (100.0%) 80 (100.0%) 80 (100.0%) 80 (100.0%) ___________________________________________________________________________ 1 Akuafo Hall 2 Commonwealth Hall 3 Legon Hall 4 Mensah Sarbah Hall S Volta Hall The respondents asserted that the condition of sanitation deteriorates whenever water stops flowing in the halls when especially toilets cannot be flushed. When water stops flowing therefore they adopt alternative measures as shown in table 4.7 to respond to natures call. A student leader observed: University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 30 “When water stops flowing the toilets smell so students who do not have water to flush prefer the bush to SOS (shit on shit) in the halls. Some other students go to other halls and departments where water flows and use the toilets there”. A hall Master agreed with the concerns of the respondents in an in-depth interview when he said: “There is still a problem. They do the cleaning alright but it means that whoever goes into the toilet and does not have water (because they do not provide water) for flushing, the place will be messy. They just clean the bathrooms and toilets so there is still that problem but then in the day even when there is no water the bathrooms will be cleaned” Table 4.7: Alternative Places Students Use When Water Stops Flowing in the Halls Alternative Places of Defaecation Frequency % ___________________________________________________________________________ Continue to use toilets without flushing 107 26.8 Fetch water from poly tanks to flush toilets 217 54.2 Use open spaces („free range‟) around campus 48 12.0 Go to public toilets outside campus 5 1.5 Use department facilities 1 0.2 Use other halls‟ facilities 16 4.0 No response to question 6 1.5 Total 400 100.0 ____________________________________________________________________________ Two hundred and seventeen (54.2%) respondents fetched water from reservoirs to flush toilets after use. One hundred and thirty one (60.4%) of those who fetched water to flush toilets were female students. Some female students in the University also practice „free range‟ in times of lack of water. Out of the forty eight respondents (12.0%) who practiced „free range‟, 4.8 percent of them were female students. The lawn tennis court area served as the University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 31 main (47.9%) site for the practice. Table 4.7 provides the details of unapproved sites used by students. Table 4.8: Unapproved Areas Where Some Students Defaecate Indiscriminately on the Campus SITES FOR ‘FREE RANGE’ Frequency % ___________________________________________________________________________ New University stadium area 10 20.8 Maintenance Park 9 18.8 Lawn tennis court 23 47.9 Bush behind Commonwealth Hall 5 10.4 Bush outside campus 1 2.1 Total 48 100.0 ___________________________________________________________________________ Table 4.9 show the number of times sanitary facilities were cleaned. Majority of the respondents (88.5%) said the halls were cleaned once a day. Table 4.9: Number of Times Toilets and Urinal are Cleaned in Halls of Residence, University of Ghana Legon 2008 Frequency of Cleaning Response % ___________________________________________________________________________ Not at all 10 2.5 Daily 354 88.5 Twice daily 21 5.2 Thrice daily 5 1.2 Once a week 6 15 Don‟t know 2 0.5 Total 400 100.0 ___________________________________________________________________________ University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 32 The respondents also said sanitary labourers used disinfectants (64.2%) to clean the halls. Over half (57%) of the respondents described the once daily cleaning of the hall as inadequate. Fifty one percent (51.3%) of them suggested that twice daily cleaning would be adequate to keep the halls clean and neat. However, a Hall Master in-depth interview reported: “Eh! They clean between 2 and 3 times in a day. They clean when they come in the morning, and some where during the day and then before they leave at 3.00 o‟clock. One at 8.00am, another at 3.00 pm and somewhere in between the two they do it again”. A good number of the students (N=82, 20.5%) could not tell whether disinfectants were used to clean the sanitary facilities or not. 4.4.2 Waste Management in the Halls Nearly all the respondents (98.5%) reported the presence of refuse containers and bins on the floors in the halls for students to lodge their waste into. These containers and bins majority (82.2%) noted were emptied once daily. The respondents however, reported that even in the presence of the bins in the halls some students (1.5%) still deposited their waste in polythene bags in the rooms or on the corridors while others throw them outside onto the ground and litter the halls. A Senior Health Manager who was appalled by the behaviour of the students observed: “The bins are there very well sited and inscribed that drop your litter in here and if you are in the university you should be able to read and do the least expected of you by dropping your litter in the bins to keep the environment clean”. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 33 4.4.3 Sanitation in Lecture Halls Lecture halls in the University have been departmentalized and directly managed by the departments. Sanitation conditions of the urinal and toilets in the lecture halls were satisfactory when they were inspected in the morning and late evening. A director at Physical Development office during in-depth interview indicated that most of the broken and non – functioning WCs were replaced in 2007. 4.5. Condition of Environmental Sanitation on the Main Grounds on the Campus of the University of Ghana, Legon 4.5.1 Outlook of Environmental Sanitation on the Campus The level of general sanitation on the grounds of the main campus of the university during the period of study was perceived by the students as good (70.5%). However 8.5 percent of the students thought the state of sanitation on the campus was very bad. Table 4.10 gives a break down of the concerns of the respondents. Table 4.10: Level of General Environmental Sanitation on the Grounds of the Main Campus of University of Ghana Legon 2008 State of General Sanitation Frequency % ___________________________________________________________________________ Bad 65 16.3 Very bad 34 8.5 Good 282 70.5 Very good 19 4.7 Total 400 100.0 ___________________________________________________________________________ Source: Ewuntomah E. Mahamah University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 34 When the data was disaggregated into halls, slightly over 70 percent of respondents in the halls except those in Volta hall said environmental sanitation on the campus and around the residence was good. However, a good number (24.8%) also reported that the level of sanitation on the grounds was bad. Table 4.11: Level of General Environmental Sanitation on the Grounds of the Main Campus by Hall, University of Ghana, Legon 2008 State of Number of Responses by Hall Gen. Sanitation AH 1 CH 2 LH 3 MSH 4 VH 5 ____________________________________________________________________________ Bad 7 (8.8%) 12 (15.0%) 19 (23.7%) 24 (30.0%) 2 (2.5%) Very bad 5 (6.2%) 11 (13.8%) 13 (16.3%) 3 (3.7%) 3 (3.7%) Good 64 (80.0%) 54 (67.5%) 46 (57.5%) 52 (65.0%) 66 (82.5%) Very good 4 (5.0%) 3 (3.7%) 2 (2.5%) 1 (1.3%) 9 (11.3%) Total 80 (100.0%) 80 (100.0%) 80 (100.0%) 80 (100.0%) 80 (100.0%) ___________________________________________________________________________ 1 Akuafo Hall 2 Commonwealth Hall 3 Legon Hall 4 Mensah Sarbah Hall S Volta Hall Table 4.11 shows the level of general sanitation on the ground of the main campus as perceived by students in the halls of residence. Sixty six (82.5%) of Volta Hall students rated the level of sanitation in and around their hall as good. In general females ranked the state of sanitation on the campus as good compared with their male colleagues. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 35 Figure 4.2 shows the scene around most refuse container sites on the campus of the University. Figure 4.2: Refuse Container around one of the Hall on Campus University of Ghana, Legon 2008 Date: 29/04/08 Observations made during physical inspection of the grounds show that the state of sanitation on the main campus at the time of the study was appalling. The entire campus was littered with sachet water bags, plastic rubbers, and pieces of paper. Refuse containers were engulfed by mounting refuse figure 4.2 while the whole campus was ‟swallowed‟ up by weeds/grass. 4.5.2 Waste Management on Campus Three hundred and twenty five (81.2%) of respondents recognised the presence of refuse containers at vantage points around the halls. Out of the 325 students, 57.5 percent said the University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 36 containers were emptied daily. However, 28.5 percent of them did not know how often the containers were emptied. Figure 4.3: Refuse Scattered around the Site of a Refuse Container near one of Halls University of Ghana, Legon A scene close to a hall of residence on the main campus of the University of Ghana Legon 2008 Date: 29/04/08 Figure 4.3 shows the picture of the level of filth on the campus. It was taken during physical inspection of the environment on the campus close to a hall. The picture shows a waste bin engulfed by waste. This was a common sight around some of the halls and sites of refuse containers. This was waste cart from a hall dumped at a site close to a refuse container to be emptied into the container awaiting conveyance by Zoomlion Waste Management Company. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 37 4.6 Sanitation Facilities in Halls of Residence, University of Ghana, Legon 2008 Majority of the respondents (N=332, 83.0%) described sanitary facilities such baths, toilets, etc. in the halls as grossly inadequate compared to the population of students in the halls. A student executive summed up the frustrations of students due to inadequate facilities in these words: “There is always a queue in the bath house”. Hall Masters interviewed recognised the inadequacy of sanitary facilities in the halls. However, hall managements had expanded some of the facilities especially wash rooms and toilets while maintenance had been done on the existing ones to accommodate more students. A Hall Tutor observed that the continuous increase in students‟ population year by year was thwarting all efforts at providing the required facilities. Their frustration was summed up by one of them: “It‟s difficult enough with there being five people in one room legally. But what makes it even more difficult is the perching situation in the hall. You give one room to five people and you plan how to handle these five people per room which in itself is difficult already and then the room ends up being occupied by a minimum of eight to ten people and that is about double what we planned for, so that is very difficult”. 4.7 Disease Conditions that Affect Resident Students in the University of Ghana, Legon The University had two health facilities; the University hospital and the Student Clinic. The student clinic provides only out-patient services to students while the hospital offers all services including special clinical services at both OPD and admissions. On the average the clinic sees 100 patients per day. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 38 4.7.1 Health Facility Records Review Data capture, storage and management at the University health facilities especially at the student clinic were very poor. Most of the registers used to capture data were not found and at the same time the computer with some data had broken down. This therefore did not allow the study to obtain the required data for the period (2004 – 2008). For Out-Patients Departments (OPD) consultations data obtained were for academic years of 2000/2001 and 2007/2008, and second semester 2001/2002 and first semester 2004/2005. The only data available for in-patient was for 2007/2008 academic year. Table 4.12: Summary of Reported Diseases by Semester, University Hospital and Student Clinic 2008 Academic Year Semester 1 Semester 2 2000/2001 2001/2002 2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008 906 1,110 * * * * * 2,329 1,842 * * * 4,825 * * 3,964 Total 4,345 10,631 * Data could not be obtained at the health facilities Table 4.12 shows a summary of data (students‟ attendance at the University hospital and students‟ clinic) obtained by academic years and by semester. This exposed the data gap in the facilities. It shows that more cases of diseases were reported in the second semesters. Second semester of 2004/2005 academic year however, saw more students‟ attendance at OPD than the rest of the semesters for the data obtained. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 39 The concern on data was expressed by a senior member of the University health authority on why data management and storage was not the best in the student clinic. “I am the first person to say that data management is not adequate and that is the reason why I have pushed and pushed for the whole place to be computerised. I have difficulty in getting data from the students‟ clinic and it turned out that the officer in charge then was mentally challenged and that affected data management there”. 4.7.2 Students’ Attendances at the University Health Facilities About 60 percent (9,168) of students who obtained OPD services in the university clinic did not have their sex captured in the clinic registers. Analysis of those whose sex was captured (6,658) showed that more males (N=4,067, 61%) had clinical consultation at the health facilities at both OPD and in-patients. The mean age of students who avail themselves of the health care services in the university was 23.2 (± 4.690SD). Table 4.13: Age-Specific Attendance of University of Ghana Students at the University Health Facilities, Legon 2008 Out-Patients In-Patients Age Group Frequency** % Frequency % ___________________________________________________________________________ < 19 739 11.5 76 13.1 20 – 24 4,233 65.9 364 63.0 25 – 29 842 13.1 90 15.6 30 – 34 380 5.9 30 5.2 35 – 39 134 2.1 15 2.6 40 – 44 63 1.0 5 0.5 45 - 49 24 0.4 0 0 50+ 14 0.2 0 0 Total 4,429 100.0 580 100.0 ______________________________________________________________________________ **. This excludes 9,237 students whose ages had not been indicated in the registers for OPD clients University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 40 The data showed that the bulk of students, who sought health care at both OPD (65.9%) and in-patient (63.0%) were in the 20-24 age group tables 4.13. At the OPD majority (27.4%) of the students came from Mensah Sarbah Hall while at in- patients, majority (31.8%) were from Legon Hall table 4.14. Table 4.14: Health Services Utilization by Hall of Residence University of Ghana, Legon 2008 Out-Patients In-Patients Hall Frequency % Frequency % ___________________________________________________________________________ Akuafo 3,600 23.0 119 20.6 Commonwealth 2,744 17.5 77 13.2 Legon 3,625 23.1 184 31.8 Mensah Sarbah 4,289 27.4 134 23.2 Volta 1,380 8.8 64 11.1 Total 15,638 100.0 578 100.0 ___________________________________________________________________________ 1 This excludes 28 (0.2%) clients whose halls of residence was indicated in OPD registers A quarter (30.9%) of student clients was from level 400 while level 500 reported least cases (0.1%) table 4.15. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 41 Table 4.15: Health Services Utilization at OPD by Level of Students University of Ghana, Legon 2008 2 Level Frequency % ___________________________________________________________________________ 100 305 20.7 200 326 22.2 300 358 24.4 400 454 30.9 500 1 0.1 600 26 1.8 Total 1,470 100.0 2 This is for clients’ whose levels were recorded in the clinic registers. In-patient register did not have clients’ level 4.7.3 Top Ten Reported Diseases by Students For all students, the top ten disease conditions diagnosed at OPD included Malaria, Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) including Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI), Skin Infections, Abdominal Pain, Headache and Enteritis. The rest were Dyspepsia, Vaginal Candidiasis, Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) and Chickenpox table 4.16. In-patients also suffered some of these disease conditions including Appendicitis, and Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Malaria persistently accounted for 5,876 (37.5%) of outpatients‟ morbidity for all the semesters covered by the study and 219 (37.9%) percent of in-patient conditions for 2007/2008 academic year. The top ten most frequently reported diseases at both outpatient and in-patient consultation accounted for over 70% of all reported disease conditions in the university health facilities. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 42 Table 4.16 shows the league table for the ten top causes of morbidity at outpatients‟ level. Malaria, ARI and Skin diseases followed the trend by position of the typical OPD reported cases of diseases in health facilities in Ghana. Table 4.16: Major Causes of Out-Patients3 Attendants between 2000 & 2008 Academic Years, University of Ghana, Legon Disease Frequency % ___________________________________________________________________________ Malaria 5,876 37.5 ARI 4 2,222 14.2 Skin Diseases 5 849 5.4 Abdominal Pain 468 3.0 Headache 384 2.5 Enteritis 313 2.0 Dyspepsia 257 1.6 Vaginal Candidiasis 251 1.6 UTI 249 1.6 Chickenpox 206 1.3 All Other Diseases 4,591 29.3 Total 15,666 100.0 ___________________________________________________________________________ 3 OPD clients include 2000/2001& 2007/2008 academic years, first semester 2001/2002 and second semester 2004/2005 4 ARI Includes URTI 5 Skin Disease includes Ulcers, Dermatitis, Cellulitis, Skin Rashes & Sepsis, Myecotic, and Eczema Figure 4.4 shows the summary distribution by hall of the top ten causes of morbidity at OPD in the students‟ clinic. Cases of malaria were higher at Mensah Sarbah than the rest of the University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 43 halls. Again for all the disease conditions, Mensah Sarbah recorded high cases. Respiratory tract infections were significant cause of morbidity among the students in all the halls. Figure 4.4: Chickenpox appeared to be endemic in the university as it was reported in almost all the semesters with increasing burden especially in 2007/2008 academic session. UTI appeared to be very common among female students. Drug reaction (not among 10 top diseases) was observed to be common among female students. Table 4.17 show the pattern of diseases at in-patients‟ attendance in the University health institutions. The trend was not different from that of the OPD cases. Malaria still occupied University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 44 the top most position. Chickenpox was second on the league table compared with ARI at OPD. Urinary tract infection recorded the lowest cases. Table 4.17: Major Causes of In-Patients Attendances between 2000 & 2008 Academic Years, University of Ghana, Legon Disease Frequency % ___________________________________________________________________________ Malaria 219 37.9 Chickenpox 61 10.6 Sickle Cell Disease 46 8.0 Appendicitis 32 5.6 Gastroenteritis 22 3.8 ARI 4 19 3.2 Abdominal Pain 12 2.1 Gastritis 12 2.1 Enteritis 12 2.1 UTI 10 1.7 All Other Diseases 133 23.0 Total 578 100.0 ___________________________________________________________________________ 4 ARI Includes URTI Table 4.18 shows the stand of the halls for the top ten causes of utilisation of health care services in the University health institutions. Mensah Sarbah Hall students had the highest share (27.4%) of the ten top causes of morbidity whilst Legon Hall students suffered more admissions. Volta Hall students appeared to have experienced less of the disease burden at both OPD and admissions. Malaria was predominant in all the halls than any other disease conditions. Volta Hall recorded the least cases of Chickenpox. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 45 Table 4.18: Ten Most Frequently Reported Diseases at the Student Clinic (OPD 6 ) by Halls of Residence University of Ghana, Legon between 2000 & 2008 Academic Years Hall7 of Residence __________________________________________________________ Disease AH CH LH MSH VH Total % ____________________________________________________________________________ Malaria 1,324 1,079 1,383 1,609 469 5,876 53.2% ARI 531 421 520 585 163 2,222 20.1% Skin Diseases 192 123 218 218 94 849 7.7% Abdominal Pain 96 86 101 137 45 465 4.2% Headache 84 60 93 114 33 384 3.5% Enteritis 73 47 74 92 27 313 2.8% Dyspepsia 46 51 71 69 20 257 2.3% Vaginal Candidiasis 58 0 48 92 53 251 2.2% UTI 57 34 59 64 34 249 2.2% Chickenpox 43 64 45 49 4 205 1.8% Total 2,504 1,965 2,612 3,029 942 11,052 100.0 ____________________________________________________________________________ ARI Includes URTI Skin Disease includes Ulcers, Dermatitis, Cellulitis, Skin Rashes & Sepsis, Myecotic, and Eczema 6 OPD clients include 2000/2001& 2007/2008 academic years, first semester 2001/2002 and second semester 2004/2005 7 These are cases whose halls of residence had been indicated in the registers Table 4.19 shows health facility attendance at OPD by sex by respondents in the University. Male students experienced higher burden of the top ten causes of morbidity and admission except for Vaginal Candidiasis for the periods of the study. Malaria at both OPD and admission had nearly a ratio of 2:1 burden between male and female student clients. However, more females (69.6%) suffered more sickle cell disease at in-patient than their male counterparts. Relationship between Sex and disease outcome was statistical significant (P<0.001) for all diseases. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 46 Table 4.19: Students Health Facility Attendance (OPD) by Sex University of Ghana, Legon between 2000 & 2008 Disease Female Male ___________________________________________________________________________ Malaria 1,201 2,218 ARI 562 1,027 Skin Disease 252 208 Abdominal Pain 90 120 Headache 82 104 Enteritis 73 125 Dyspepsia 30 57 Vaginal Candidiasis 196 0 UTI 75 63 Chickenpox 30 145 Total 2,591 4,067 ___________________________________________________________________________ NOTE: o ARI Includes URTI o Skin Disease includes Ulcers, Dermatitis, Cellulitis, Skin Rashes & Sepsis, Myecotic, and Eczema o These are cases whose sex had been indicated in the registers o OPD clients include 2000/2001& 2007/2008 academic years, first semester 2001/2002 and second semester 2004/2005 Table 4.20 shows health facility admissions by sex by respondents in the University. Malaria for admission was even for both male and female student. However, more females (32) suffered more sickle cell disease at in-patient than their male (14) counterparts. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 47 Table 4.20: Utilization of Health Services at In-Patients Level by Sex University of Ghana, Legon between 2000 & 2008 Disease Female Male ___________________________________________________________________________ Malaria 109 110 Chickenpox 7 54 Sickle Cell D 32 14 Appendicitis 10 12 Gastroenteritis 14 8 ARI 8 11 Abdominal Pain 9 3 Gastritis 6 6 Enteritis 7 5 UTI 6 4 Total 208 227 ___________________________________________________________________________ NOTE: o ARI Includes URTI o Skin Disease includes Ulcers, Dermatitis, Cellulitis, Skin Rashes & Sepsis, Myecotic, and Eczema o These are cases whose sex had been indicated in the registers o OPD clients include 2000/2001& 2007/2008 academic years, first semester 2001/2002 and second semester 2004/2005 A comparison between first and second semester‟s use of health care services showed that second semesters registered more attendances for almost all the ten top disease conditions. For instance, in the first semester of 2000/2001 academic year the total disease burden was 906 but this rose to 1, 842 during the second semester. Similarly the first semester of 2007/2008 academic year recorded 2, 329 reported cases as against 3,964 for second semester. In all these malaria burden ranged from 33.9 percent to 40.6 percent. The burden of acute respiratory infection increased from 8.6 percent in the second semester of 2000/2001 to 21.7 percent of 2007/2008 first semester. More (252) females suffered skin infections than males. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 48 CHAPTER 5 5.0 DISCUSSION Worldwide, many people lack access to basic sanitation facilities. UNICEF (2006) estimates that about 2.6 billion people worldwide that is- two in five- do not have access to improve sanitation. In West and Central Africa one third of the population uses adequate sanitation facilities. Sanitation coverage in Sub-Saharan Africa was estimated to be 36 percent (Hunt, 2006). A major cause of morbidity and mortality in Ghana (GDHS 2003) was attributed to the use of contaminated water, unhygienic food preparation and lack of hand washing. Despite the lack of information on the effects of poor sanitation in the University of Ghana, Owusu (1996), Akroway (1997) and Legon Shelter (2006) gave a strong indication that sanitation in the university was a major problem. 5.1 Residential Facilities and Student Population in the Traditional Halls The findings from the study showed that residential facilities were woefully inadequate to meet the demand of the steady increasing student population over the years. A hall master observed: “Well it is being like that all along. There is nothing different. What we had is what we have”. While residential facilities remained virtually the same, students‟ allocation into the halls increases every academic year. For instance in January 2005, the number of students in residence was 7,934. This increased to 8,918 in January 2006 (Legon Shelter 2006) and 9,399 in January 2007 1 . The inadequacy of residential facilities to match the rapid increase of students‟ population has compelled Halls to allow on average five students to live in a room University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 49 that was designed to accommodate a maximum of two students. This confirms the assertion by WHO/AFRO (2006) that fast increasing populations are characterized by slum dwelling, inadequate water and sanitation facilities and services. Probably this might have fuelled the increase in perching in the Halls as students believe living in residence offers optimal use of academic facilities (Legon Shelter, 2006) and its attendant pressure on sanitary facilities and worsening environmental sanitation on the campus. It was estimated that about 33 percent of students are offered residential placement every year and about another 5 percent perch in the halls (Legon Shelter 2006). This was without a corresponding expansion in residential facilities and might have resulted in the pressure on the residential facilities. 5.1.1 Sanitary Facilities in the Halls of Residence The sanitary facilities in the halls were inadequate. As far back as 1997 and 1998 Akroway (1997) and Agbodeka (1998) reported that hygiene and sanitation facilities had long been identified as inadequate even when the student population was only 2,000. Similarly the Legon Shelter (2006) re-iterated that the steady growing population of the students was not matched by corresponding expansion of sanitary facilities to accommodate the increasing numbers of students. The Legon Shelter (2006) lamented further that sanitary facilities had remained virtually the same while student population assumed drastic increases. However, this is not peculiar to the University alone. Jewels and O‟connor (1990) found that fifteen __________________________________________________________________________ Estimated figure using 33.3%, a percentage used to estimate population of resident students University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 50 (15) Schools did not have the minimum number of toilets and wash hand basins built in the school premises in Bloomsbury, London. Likewise TREND (2005) observed that most schools in Ghana were built without considerable sanitary facilities such as water and latrine/toilets. The seriousness of the lack of adequate sanitary facilities was expressed by a student executive who said: “There is always a queue in the bath houses” One Hall Master also noted that on the average 8 to 10 students use a water closet (WC) in the halls. He said: “So what it means is that between 8 and 10 people to a WC”. This was noticed in Volta Hall where there were 82 toilets (WCs) available to 814. This gave a ratio of about 10 students to a toilet/WC. However, there were differences in the ratio by block/floors. For instance in one block the ratio was about 13 students to a WC while in another it was 6 students to a WC. This problem seems to be wide spread as it was also observed in a school survey in Code d‟Ivoire by UNICEF (2006) where there was about one WC or latrine per 381 students. This may have implications for health as there is a link between poor sanitation and diseases outcome in human populations. To ease the tension however, halls had made modest expansion to toilets and baths and replaced all broken down WCs. This was observed in all the halls visited during physical inspection of the halls. Responding to a question on state of WC in the hall a Hall Tutor reported: University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 51 “Oh, we have virtually changed them all. In the main hall we have virtually changed all. In fact even in the annexes we virtually have changed all. Yesterday I went round there are no old ones again. So I will say that what we use to have from 2004-2005, we started changing them and we completed it more than 3 years ago”. This is good since clean and well maintained sanitary facilities could lead to a reduction in diseases among people especially students 5.1.2 State of Hygiene and Sanitation in Halls of Residence Results from the study showed a mixed reaction to condition of sanitation in the halls by the respondents. Many of the respondents (44.8%) reported improvement in sanitation conditions while others (30%) thought that it was not as anticipated and described it as still appalling. Cairncross (1998, 2003) echoed similar sentiments when he noted that sanitation in many schools is deplorable. The appalling situation of sanitation in the halls was confirmed by earlier studies (Owusu 1996, Akroway 1997 and Agbodeka 1998). This was also observed by a senior official of the University health services when she noted: “I mean the whole thing is changed. On the two occasions I have had to go down, I was appalled. I think students these days are not committed to looking after the environment themselves. They are expecting things to be done for them. And even when things have been facilitated so that they can look after the environment, they still don‟t do it. I mean if I have provided a bin just a few feet away from your room, what stops you from walking that short distance to drop in your litter but drop it in your room and expecting that the cleaner will come and clean? So yes, the facilities have been over stretched but we have a generation that is also not very, very committed to maintaining the environment”. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 52 The situation of low sanitation coverage is a global issue as only 58 percent of the world population and 36 percent of the population of sub-Saharan Africa had access to adequate sanitation (WHO/AFRO 2006). The students may have thought that with the outsourcing of the janitorial services dramatic changes would have taken place and hence their concern. What seemed apparent however was that the state of sanitation in the halls had improved. This was attested to by a Hall Tutor who said: “Definitely I see a huge difference especially early first semester there was a huge, huge difference until the number of students increased again but then there was still improvement. I won‟t say that we have not had a few reasons to complain about, but then there is a difference; the stench that we were confronted with before they started work, that stench is no more but their work can be improved a lot if there was a constant flow of water; sanitation is water”. Another Hall Master emphasized that the outsourcing of the janitorial services to contractors had really helped to improve conditions of toilets, washrooms and the hall environment. “... So the outsourcing of the janitorial services has helped to ensure that the toilets, the environment and in fact the toilets within the blocks in particular have been kept clean”. These opinions of the Hall Tutors had confirmed that sanitation in the halls had really improved due to the contracting of janitorial services to the janitorial contractors and it is anticipated that this could lead to the reduction of diseases