Epidemiology of Waterborne Diseases in South-South Nigeria: An Investigation of Risk Factors and Control Strategies

Abstract

Waterborne diseases are a major public health challenge in South-South Nigeria, a region marked by diverse environmental, socio-economic, and infrastructural contexts. Nigeria, like any other developing nation, is faced with the twin problem of development without destruction. Industrialization, though an important component of development, has had a large share in the country's despoliation of air quality by releasing high amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere. This is an in-depth Analysis of risk factors and control strategies. This study aims to explore the prevalences, causes and impacts of waterborne diseases in the Niger Delta, Nigeria, shedding light on key risk factors and proposing effective control measures. By examining the intricate interplay between environmental, social and behavioural factors, it seeks to contribute valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare professionals to develop targeted interventions. This article underscores the urgency of addressing waterborne diseases in this region and emphasizes the importance of sustainable strategies for disease prevention and management on a global scale. Water treatment programmes are found to be highly effective in reducing disease prevalence, while public health education shows moderate success but notably the Community led initiative-The community Led total Sanitation (CLTS) programme demonstrates a very significant positive impact, highlighting the importance of community engagements.