As urbanization and population growth continue to increase in Freetown, due to changes in economic, social, environmental, political, and demographic factors, the municipal solid waste (MSW) generation also continues ...As urbanization and population growth continue to increase in Freetown, due to changes in economic, social, environmental, political, and demographic factors, the municipal solid waste (MSW) generation also continues to increase, making its management difficult for the municipal authority. Efficient separation and storage of solid waste at the source of generation can boost resource and energy recovery from MSW. This study examines the municipal solid waste management (MSWM) process, focusing on generation, storage and separation practices among households and their impact on the environment in Freetown. It emphasizes the inclusion of MSWM programs in primary schools to raise public awareness, the implementation of effective waste management practices, and the enforcement of related policies to enhance the MSWM sector, contributing to sustainable MSWM in Freetown. By utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods, 393 structured questionnaires were administered across three selected sections to collect data on household solid waste storage and separation practices. The analysis employed descriptive statistics, using Origin-Pro9 and MS Excel. The findings show that with a population of 1.53 million people in Freetown, the per capita solid waste generation is 0.58 kg per day. The findings also show that 97% of the households have storage facilities as a result of the increase in awareness and education about the proper storage of solid waste. However, 96% of respondents do not practice separation of solid waste at the source of generation, which has become a concern among researchers in Sierra Leone. Additionally, 88% of respondents are unaware of ISWM principles, with only 12% aware, most of whom have received some education on proper solid waste management. The study recommends improving MSWM in Freetown to protect public health and the environment.展开更多
Freetown which is the capital city of Sierra Leone is facing challenges with population growth, urbanization, and industrialization, leading to an increase in municipal solid waste (MSW) generation. The study aims to ...Freetown which is the capital city of Sierra Leone is facing challenges with population growth, urbanization, and industrialization, leading to an increase in municipal solid waste (MSW) generation. The study aims to evaluate MSW generation, composition, and disposal methods, as well as the impact of collection fees, policy implementation, and women’s participation in municipal solid waste management (MSWM). The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection and analysis. The study administered 393 structured questionnaires in three selected sections to collect data on variables such as family size, education, level of knowledge, etc. The study used door-to-door data collection to determine the rate of solid waste generation, composition, and disposal in 66 households from two of the selected sections and 34 households from the other section to evaluate the current situation of MSWM practices among households in Freetown. The study used a descriptive statistic to analyze the data collected using Origin-Pro9 and MS Excel software. The findings showed that with a 4.2% urban growth rate, Freetown had a population of 1,467,543 in 2023, generating 851 tons of MSW per day, with organic waste accounting for 78% of the total MSW generated. Plastic waste generation also increased from 7.6% in 2020 to 13% in 2023. The study emphasizes the need to sustain the MSWM system by prioritizing solid waste collection fees, policy enforcement, and women’s participation in the MSWM sector. It further suggests and provides recommendations for developing an efficient and sustainable MSWM system in Sierra Leone, including knowledge transfer from countries like China and the US.展开更多
Food safety, nutrition, health and wellbeing are inextricably linked. This study investigated the environmental, awareness and practices amongst both food vendors and consumers in and around Freetown the capital of Si...Food safety, nutrition, health and wellbeing are inextricably linked. This study investigated the environmental, awareness and practices amongst both food vendors and consumers in and around Freetown the capital of Sierra Leone. The population of the area has vastly out-grown the infrastructure laid down before and since independence. De-centralization of authority to local councils as recommended post-war has only been partial. The role of local versus central government in the planning and maintenance of water, sanitation and market-infrastructure and related policies was explored. This is a qualitative study that used semi-structured interviews with vendors, consumers and 29 key informants. Amongst an estimated population of 5386 actors in food services a sample size of 309 vendors, consumers in and around the 12 busiest market hubs in Western Area Urban and Rural Districts were sampled. Most of the respondents described “food safety” as “good-to-eat, well taken care-off, and free from germs”. The respondents cited that main causes to unsafe food are poor hygienic practices: 38%, contamination by flies: 28%, uncovered food/ improper handling/poor personal hygiene: 21%, and environmental factors, such as improper refuse disposal: 11%. Respondents expressed that consuming unsafe foods can lead to diarrhoea: 34%, food poisoning: 24%, vomiting: 17%, stomach ache/pain: 16%, or typhoid: 9%. Various measures to improve food safety were cited as hand washing: 60%, cleaning surroundings: 57%, covering food: 56%, washing utensils: 52%, covering hair: 42% and using a face mask: 32%. However almost 76% of food vendors interviewed were trading near gutters, where muddy/dirty water settled, with slippery floors, discarded plastic waste, flies and inadequate water, sanitation, and/or storage facilities. None of the food vendors had had any formal training on food safety. Despite progress recently made in solid and liquid waste management during the “Transform Freetown” agenda much more improvement in infrastructu展开更多
The generation of solid waste has become an increasing environmental and public health problem, especially in developing countries. These problems associated with the generation of solid waste are part of social chang...The generation of solid waste has become an increasing environmental and public health problem, especially in developing countries. These problems associated with the generation of solid waste are part of social changes where households play an important role. Invariably, these social changes influence the size, structure and characteristics of given households. This paper presents the findings of a study carried out in Freetown municipal area in Sierra Leone to assess socioeconomic factors affecting household solid waste generation and composition in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Structured questionnaires were administered with respect to these socioeconomic factors in four (4) selected constituencies of the city. These are the most populated constituencies that generated 70% of the total quantity of solid waste in the city. Therefore, they are suitable samples of the study area. The rate of waste generation was determined by using door- to-door approach in five (5) selected households from each constituency through sorting and weighing of solid wastes respectively. The dependent variables were solid waste generation and composition, and the independent variables were family size, education, income levels among others. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis to determine relationships between independent variables and dependent variables through correlation. The results showed that the solid waste generation and composition in Freetown was significantly affected by average family size, employment status, monthly income, and number of room(s) occupied by households. In general, the paper adequately suggests new insights concerning the role of socioeconomic factors in affecting the generation and composition of household solid waste.展开更多
Introduction: Every year it is estimated that about 14 million adolescent girls give birth globally with the highest rate (143 per 1000 girls aged 15 - 19 years) in the sub-Saharan Africa. Babies born to adolescent mo...Introduction: Every year it is estimated that about 14 million adolescent girls give birth globally with the highest rate (143 per 1000 girls aged 15 - 19 years) in the sub-Saharan Africa. Babies born to adolescent mothers are at greater risk and are far more likely to die than those born to older women. This study therefore sets out to describe the health care seeking behaviors in a cohort of teenage mothers attending an Under-Five Clinic in a densely populated section of Freetown, Sierra Leone with a view of determining the impact of their behavior on the survival of their children. Methodology: This is a descriptively cross sectional and prospective study that involved four hundred and six mothers attending the Under-Five Clinic in the Eastern end of Freetown using semiclosed ended questionnaire which were interviewers administered between 1st and 29th July 2011. Result: The age of the study population ranged between 12 and 45 years, with a mean of 24.8 ± 6.3 years. Of the four hundred and six, eighty nine (21%) were teenagers (less than 20 years) with a majority (60.6%) of them being between 18 and 19 years old. Concerning the 89 teenage mothers in the study population, the majority (95.5%) did not possess the secondary school education, 42.7% were petty traders and more than a half of them (61.8%) were married. The mothers were rated low in all the activities geared towards child survival except immunization. In addition there was a delay in the initiation of complementary feeds which were also of poor quality. Fewer percentages of the mothers who had antenatal care in the hospitals delivered there. Conclusion: This study has revealed that early marriage is still common in Sierra Leone. Also the teenage mothers did not engage fully in a majority of activities that have been proven to contribute to the survival of babies in the Tropics thereby making their children vulnerable to malnutrition, measles and diarrhoeal diseases. It was recommended that the country should use recognised teenage programs aimed at 展开更多
文摘As urbanization and population growth continue to increase in Freetown, due to changes in economic, social, environmental, political, and demographic factors, the municipal solid waste (MSW) generation also continues to increase, making its management difficult for the municipal authority. Efficient separation and storage of solid waste at the source of generation can boost resource and energy recovery from MSW. This study examines the municipal solid waste management (MSWM) process, focusing on generation, storage and separation practices among households and their impact on the environment in Freetown. It emphasizes the inclusion of MSWM programs in primary schools to raise public awareness, the implementation of effective waste management practices, and the enforcement of related policies to enhance the MSWM sector, contributing to sustainable MSWM in Freetown. By utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods, 393 structured questionnaires were administered across three selected sections to collect data on household solid waste storage and separation practices. The analysis employed descriptive statistics, using Origin-Pro9 and MS Excel. The findings show that with a population of 1.53 million people in Freetown, the per capita solid waste generation is 0.58 kg per day. The findings also show that 97% of the households have storage facilities as a result of the increase in awareness and education about the proper storage of solid waste. However, 96% of respondents do not practice separation of solid waste at the source of generation, which has become a concern among researchers in Sierra Leone. Additionally, 88% of respondents are unaware of ISWM principles, with only 12% aware, most of whom have received some education on proper solid waste management. The study recommends improving MSWM in Freetown to protect public health and the environment.
文摘Freetown which is the capital city of Sierra Leone is facing challenges with population growth, urbanization, and industrialization, leading to an increase in municipal solid waste (MSW) generation. The study aims to evaluate MSW generation, composition, and disposal methods, as well as the impact of collection fees, policy implementation, and women’s participation in municipal solid waste management (MSWM). The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection and analysis. The study administered 393 structured questionnaires in three selected sections to collect data on variables such as family size, education, level of knowledge, etc. The study used door-to-door data collection to determine the rate of solid waste generation, composition, and disposal in 66 households from two of the selected sections and 34 households from the other section to evaluate the current situation of MSWM practices among households in Freetown. The study used a descriptive statistic to analyze the data collected using Origin-Pro9 and MS Excel software. The findings showed that with a 4.2% urban growth rate, Freetown had a population of 1,467,543 in 2023, generating 851 tons of MSW per day, with organic waste accounting for 78% of the total MSW generated. Plastic waste generation also increased from 7.6% in 2020 to 13% in 2023. The study emphasizes the need to sustain the MSWM system by prioritizing solid waste collection fees, policy enforcement, and women’s participation in the MSWM sector. It further suggests and provides recommendations for developing an efficient and sustainable MSWM system in Sierra Leone, including knowledge transfer from countries like China and the US.
文摘Food safety, nutrition, health and wellbeing are inextricably linked. This study investigated the environmental, awareness and practices amongst both food vendors and consumers in and around Freetown the capital of Sierra Leone. The population of the area has vastly out-grown the infrastructure laid down before and since independence. De-centralization of authority to local councils as recommended post-war has only been partial. The role of local versus central government in the planning and maintenance of water, sanitation and market-infrastructure and related policies was explored. This is a qualitative study that used semi-structured interviews with vendors, consumers and 29 key informants. Amongst an estimated population of 5386 actors in food services a sample size of 309 vendors, consumers in and around the 12 busiest market hubs in Western Area Urban and Rural Districts were sampled. Most of the respondents described “food safety” as “good-to-eat, well taken care-off, and free from germs”. The respondents cited that main causes to unsafe food are poor hygienic practices: 38%, contamination by flies: 28%, uncovered food/ improper handling/poor personal hygiene: 21%, and environmental factors, such as improper refuse disposal: 11%. Respondents expressed that consuming unsafe foods can lead to diarrhoea: 34%, food poisoning: 24%, vomiting: 17%, stomach ache/pain: 16%, or typhoid: 9%. Various measures to improve food safety were cited as hand washing: 60%, cleaning surroundings: 57%, covering food: 56%, washing utensils: 52%, covering hair: 42% and using a face mask: 32%. However almost 76% of food vendors interviewed were trading near gutters, where muddy/dirty water settled, with slippery floors, discarded plastic waste, flies and inadequate water, sanitation, and/or storage facilities. None of the food vendors had had any formal training on food safety. Despite progress recently made in solid and liquid waste management during the “Transform Freetown” agenda much more improvement in infrastructu
文摘The generation of solid waste has become an increasing environmental and public health problem, especially in developing countries. These problems associated with the generation of solid waste are part of social changes where households play an important role. Invariably, these social changes influence the size, structure and characteristics of given households. This paper presents the findings of a study carried out in Freetown municipal area in Sierra Leone to assess socioeconomic factors affecting household solid waste generation and composition in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Structured questionnaires were administered with respect to these socioeconomic factors in four (4) selected constituencies of the city. These are the most populated constituencies that generated 70% of the total quantity of solid waste in the city. Therefore, they are suitable samples of the study area. The rate of waste generation was determined by using door- to-door approach in five (5) selected households from each constituency through sorting and weighing of solid wastes respectively. The dependent variables were solid waste generation and composition, and the independent variables were family size, education, income levels among others. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis to determine relationships between independent variables and dependent variables through correlation. The results showed that the solid waste generation and composition in Freetown was significantly affected by average family size, employment status, monthly income, and number of room(s) occupied by households. In general, the paper adequately suggests new insights concerning the role of socioeconomic factors in affecting the generation and composition of household solid waste.
文摘Introduction: Every year it is estimated that about 14 million adolescent girls give birth globally with the highest rate (143 per 1000 girls aged 15 - 19 years) in the sub-Saharan Africa. Babies born to adolescent mothers are at greater risk and are far more likely to die than those born to older women. This study therefore sets out to describe the health care seeking behaviors in a cohort of teenage mothers attending an Under-Five Clinic in a densely populated section of Freetown, Sierra Leone with a view of determining the impact of their behavior on the survival of their children. Methodology: This is a descriptively cross sectional and prospective study that involved four hundred and six mothers attending the Under-Five Clinic in the Eastern end of Freetown using semiclosed ended questionnaire which were interviewers administered between 1st and 29th July 2011. Result: The age of the study population ranged between 12 and 45 years, with a mean of 24.8 ± 6.3 years. Of the four hundred and six, eighty nine (21%) were teenagers (less than 20 years) with a majority (60.6%) of them being between 18 and 19 years old. Concerning the 89 teenage mothers in the study population, the majority (95.5%) did not possess the secondary school education, 42.7% were petty traders and more than a half of them (61.8%) were married. The mothers were rated low in all the activities geared towards child survival except immunization. In addition there was a delay in the initiation of complementary feeds which were also of poor quality. Fewer percentages of the mothers who had antenatal care in the hospitals delivered there. Conclusion: This study has revealed that early marriage is still common in Sierra Leone. Also the teenage mothers did not engage fully in a majority of activities that have been proven to contribute to the survival of babies in the Tropics thereby making their children vulnerable to malnutrition, measles and diarrhoeal diseases. It was recommended that the country should use recognised teenage programs aimed at
