Research Article
Andualem Henok and Jelkeba Bal
Abstract
Background: A range of environmental determinants of health play a key role in disease burden, particularly in developing countries. The quality of environment greatly associated with the health status and living standards of population. The aim of the study was to assess socio-demographic characteristics and environmental health aspects of Kometa sub-locality. Methods: The study was conducted in Kometa sub-locality, Mizan-Aman town, south west Ethiopia from September to October, 2014. A Community based socio-demographic and environmental health survey was conducted. The sample was systematically drawn from all permanent residents of Kometa locality and the sample size was 384 which was determined by using single population proportion formula. The data were collected by well-structured standard questionnaires and entered electronically. Result: The male represented 48.57% of participants and the mean age of individuals was 21.26 ± 14.72 years. Generally, 96(48.5%) of households were adequately accessing TV and Radio program but the rest were lacking. Housing structures with corrugated iron sheet was 171(86.36%) followed by concrete 14(7%) and thatched 9(4.6%). About two-third (63.64%) had good illumination. The type of kitchen in every houses also analyzed as 171(88%) separate, 11(5.6%) main house, and 7(3.6%) attached type of kitchen facility. Approximately 192(97.5%) of study participants report showed that they had sanitary facility whether it be private, neighbor-owned, or communal services. Of these, 183(94.8%) were private-owned latrine but only 5(2.5%) of households had totally no latrine. Among the sample 68.4% of households were disposing in open field, 53(27%) in pit, and 6(3%) use municipal services. The majority of water sources 132(66.7%) were located within average distance of less than 10 meters. However, a few households travelled more than 70 meters to fetch water Conclusion: The housing conditions in this survey were predominantly substandard. Water consumption of greater than half of households in this survey was received from unprotected sources. There was unsanitary disposal of solid wastes from domestic activity. Many interventional measures that target increased accessibility of water services and preventing those causes of high risk problems effectively safeguards population.