Review Article
Impact of the Faecal Sludge Dump on the Health of the People of Nomayos (Yaounde-Cameroon)
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 3, June 2026
Pages:
67-76
Received:
1 April 2026
Accepted:
20 April 2026
Published:
11 May 2026
Abstract: The majority of faecal sludge in Yaounde is disposed of as uncontrolled discharge from Nomayos, a small village located at 15km of South West of Yaoundé without treatment. This uncontrolled discharge is found beside the Avo’o river whose waters are used for multiple purposes by the people of this locality. The objective of this study is to contribute to understanding the impact of the uncontrolled landfill on the health of the populations of Nomayos through Ecosystem Approaches to Human Health. The results show that the people are aware of the presence of (the) uncontrolled discharge of faecal sludge. They neglect or ignore the potential health risks that may be caused by sludge, clinging instead to the financial revenues from the management of this uncontrolled faecal sludge discharge. People get their water from wells and springs. The average concentrations of helminths eggs in environmental components are 3601 eggs/L in sludge, 857 eggs/L in irrigation waters, 688 eggs/L in wells and 60 eggs/L for springs. There is a significant difference at 5% between the complaints of the people and drinking water. In addition, 54% of inhabitants are infected by various parasites; children under five years and women farmers are the most affected. The Parasites identified are: Ascaris lumbricoides, Entamoeba hystolytica, Trichuris trichuira, Giadia intestinalis and Angulula sp. From the findings, it is urgent to implement a treatment plant sludge.
Abstract: The majority of faecal sludge in Yaounde is disposed of as uncontrolled discharge from Nomayos, a small village located at 15km of South West of Yaoundé without treatment. This uncontrolled discharge is found beside the Avo’o river whose waters are used for multiple purposes by the people of this locality. The objective of this study is to contribu...
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Research Article
Investigation on Plastic Wastes in Nyamasheke District, Rwanda: Quantification, Characterization and Management Framework Design
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 3, June 2026
Pages:
77-87
Received:
13 May 2026
Accepted:
26 May 2026
Published:
15 June 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajep.20261503.12
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Views:
Abstract: Plastic waste accumulation in rural markets of developing countries constitutes a critical yet systematically understudied dimension of the global plastic pollution crisis. This study provides the first empirical quantification, characterization, and management assessment of plastic waste in three rural market sectors Kagano, Kanjongo, and Macuba in Nyamasheke District, Rwanda's Western Province. Employing a convergent mixed-methods design combining physical waste audits over 21 sessions, structured questionnaires administered to 400 respondents, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions, the study generated comprehensive market-level evidence on plastic waste generation rates, composition, disposal practices, environmental impacts, and governance gaps. Physical waste audits recorded a combined total of 20.5 kilograms and 7,625 plastic items across the 21-day audit period. Kagano sector generated the highest daily average at 1.66 kg/day, followed by Kanjongo at 0.89 kg/day and Macuba at 0.39 kg/day. Survey data revealed a mean self-reported generation of 3.01 plastic items per respondent per day, with vendors generating significantly more than consumers (t = 2.415, p = 0.016). PET bottles dominated the waste stream at 60.0% by weight, followed by wrappers and sachets at 34.6%. Plastic bags were completely absent from all audit sessions, confirming the sustained effectiveness of Rwanda's landmark 2008 single-use plastic ban. Burning (46.0%) and open dumping (33.5%) accounted for 79.5% of all disposal behavior, with waste segregation virtually absent among 98.5% of respondents. All five environmental impact indicators market littering, drainage blockage, soil and water contamination, air pollution, and livestock risk were observed in 100% of audit sessions. Chi-square analysis revealed highly significant sectoral variation in disposal practices (χ² = 55.333, p < 0.001). A critical awareness-behavior gap was documented: 99.2% of respondents were aware of the plastic ban, yet harmful disposal practices persisted across the study area. Based on these findings, the study proposes a multi-tiered, context-specific plastic waste management framework integrating Extended Producer Responsibility mechanisms, community-based collection infrastructure, sectoral enforcement, and behavioral change interventions. The findings provide actionable evidence to inform Rwanda's transition to a circular economy and offer a replicable methodology for rural market waste assessment across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Abstract: Plastic waste accumulation in rural markets of developing countries constitutes a critical yet systematically understudied dimension of the global plastic pollution crisis. This study provides the first empirical quantification, characterization, and management assessment of plastic waste in three rural market sectors Kagano, Kanjongo, and Macuba i...
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,
Tatiana Mossus
