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Occupational Health and Safety Status in the Management of Faecal Sludge in Ghana: A Case Study of the Lavender Hill Faecal Treatment Plant
Joseph Yeboah Siaw,
Issahaku Ahmed,
Dennis Ofori-Amanfo,
Florence Cobbold,
Gizella Tetteh Agbotui,
Esi Awuah
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, June 2018
Pages:
42-50
Received:
15 March 2018
Accepted:
30 March 2018
Published:
14 May 2018
Abstract: Faecal sludge management in Ghana has been undertaken in different scales using different methods for years. Each of these methods involves human intervention in one form or the other. Direct human-to-faecal matter contact cannot be avoided completely in faecal sludge treatment. However, the degree of contact depends on the finesse of technology employed. Also, emission of gaseous substances along the treatment value chain both as a direct result of the sludge or of chemicals being employed in the treatment process is another challenge. In whichever way the situation is looked at, all these processes will present occupational safety and health issues to workers and other stakeholders if not proactively regulated. Data was collected at five different levels using different instruments at Lavender Hill Faecal Treatment Plant operated by Sewerage Systems Ghana Ltd. was analyzed for this study. This was done to ascertain the status of Health and Safety Practices and worker risk and or hazard exposures in a typical faecal management in Ghana. It was realised that a very comprehensive safety management systems have been instituted to ensure protection for all. Activities at the plant are regulated by an approved written health and safety policy, environmental management policy and standard operating procedures documents. Physical structures have safety warning signs fixed on them where appropriate and the plant’s operations are supported with state-of-the-art technology – gas detectors, buoyancy devices around open tanks, supply of appropriate personal protective equipment, provision of sanitary facilities among others. Management of the plant considers health and safety of every person admitted to the site an utmost priority. This is demonstrated by management’s commitment to releasing funds and direct participation in safety programs. Awareness creation in the form of orientations and trainings is effectively communicated to all site patrons. Mental wellbeing of workers is ensured through a welfare system and a physical activity program. It is not surprising therefore that despite the extent of hazards associated with the faecal matter handling yet no serious incident, accident and or health related issues had yet been identified after more than a year of operation.
Abstract: Faecal sludge management in Ghana has been undertaken in different scales using different methods for years. Each of these methods involves human intervention in one form or the other. Direct human-to-faecal matter contact cannot be avoided completely in faecal sludge treatment. However, the degree of contact depends on the finesse of technology em...
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Antibiotic Sensitivity Profile of Microorganisms Isolated from Foods Sold in Selected Elementary Schools in Ilorin Metropolis
Alabede Iyabode Mubarakat,
Henry Olawale Sawyerr,
Habeeb Modupe Lateefat,
Adiama Babatunde Yusuf,
Yusuf Olanrewaju Rauf
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, June 2018
Pages:
51-55
Received:
22 April 2018
Accepted:
15 May 2018
Published:
2 June 2018
Abstract: Globally, the estimated amount of food found to be contaminated from schools particularly in developing countries keeps increasing. As a result of this, the federal government of Nigeria resulted into free food programme for elementary schools in the 36 States. This study aims at looking at the microbial loads of organisms present in the foods and its antibiotic sensitivity and how it can help the government in strategizing or re-strategizing their plans. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ilorin metropolis within three local government areas (South, West, and East) with a total of 128 food samples. Microbiological assay were conducted on samples obtained from the elementary schools. The samples collected were cultured on three culture media (Blood agar, MacConkey agar and Saboroud Dextrose agar) and incubated at 37°C. Characterization of isolates to specie level was done using their morphological appearance, colour of colonies, growth pattern, biochemical test and gram staining. Also antibiotic sensitivity test was also done using the disc diffusion method. Some of the organism isolated from food sampled were Staphylococcus epidermis, Proteus vulgaris, Streptococcus lactics, E. coli, and Candida albicans and they were resistant to Streptomycin, Cloxacilin, Ampicillin e.t. c and sensitive to Ofloxacin, Perfloxacin, Vancomycin e.t.c. Generally, this study reveals that out of the foods sold in the three local government, 30.7% of the foods are acceptable, 9.7% tolerable and 67.8% unacceptable according to the International Commission for Microbiological Specification for foods.
Abstract: Globally, the estimated amount of food found to be contaminated from schools particularly in developing countries keeps increasing. As a result of this, the federal government of Nigeria resulted into free food programme for elementary schools in the 36 States. This study aims at looking at the microbial loads of organisms present in the foods and ...
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Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (Haccp) Assessment of Regulated Premises: An Assessment of Standard Hotels in Ilorin Metropolis
Habeeb Modupe Lateefat,
Henry O. Sawyerr,
Alabede Mubarakat,
Abdulrauf Olanrewaju Yusuf,
Adiama Babatunde Yusuf,
Olaniyi Opasola,
Adeolu Adedotun,
Usman Suleiman
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, June 2018
Pages:
56-68
Received:
25 April 2018
Accepted:
24 May 2018
Published:
12 June 2018
Abstract: Food safety issues in developing countries are mostly centered on illnesses that are linked to poor hygiene but food hygiene in hotels remains an area of concern. Hospitality Industries are known to provide food, drink or accommodation to people who are away from home. Food poisoning can arise from public eating places like hotels and restaurants as a result unhygienic food preparation. The purpose of the study was to assess the HACCP compliance of standard hotels in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara state. Purposive sampling was used with laboratory component carried out in five standard hotels in Ilorin metropolis and the hotels with alphabets. Data were obtained through on-site observation using checklist and face to face interview.15 food samples (fried rice, white rice), 12 hand swab samples and 7 seven water samples were collected to determine the hygienic level of the food. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the results were presented using charts and tables. Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, S. aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans were isolated in various foods, water and hand swab. The total viable count was below 105CFU/g in all the seventeen (17) samples with 1.71 – 86.82 x 102 CFU in food, 1.65 – 12.2 x 102 CFU in hand swab and 10.63 23x102 CFU in water samples. From the findings, the food samples found to be within the marginal aerobic colony count limits according to the International Commission for Microbiological Specification for Foods (ICSMF, 1978). This implies that, though the food samples were within limits of acceptable microbiological quality, there might have been possible hygiene problems either in the preparation of the food or in handling of the food. From the checklist, it was revealed that majority (95%) of the hotels (B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I) did not meet the HACCP requirement. The study revealed that the concept of HACCP was not understood and that this could be impacting on the general food hygiene standards and food-handling practices of personnel. Therefore, there is need to implement HACCP system to prevent food poisoning outbreaks and the hotels can easily adapt the strategy only if law enforcers could put strict monitoring in place.
Abstract: Food safety issues in developing countries are mostly centered on illnesses that are linked to poor hygiene but food hygiene in hotels remains an area of concern. Hospitality Industries are known to provide food, drink or accommodation to people who are away from home. Food poisoning can arise from public eating places like hotels and restaurants a...
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Health Monitoring and Evaluation in Remote Areas: The Case of the HPP Jirau in the Amazon, Brazil
Viviane de Oliveira Béghin,
Assed Naked Haddad
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, June 2018
Pages:
69-76
Received:
4 May 2018
Accepted:
22 May 2018
Published:
12 June 2018
Abstract: This study aims to provide an overview of the health care system in specific regions of the Amazon, before and after the construction of Jirau Hydro Power Plant (HPP) to evaluate the efficiency of health activities planned and executed in the scope of the environmental licensing of the project. We studied the health conditions before the implantation of the project, identified the main characters and criteria involved on the definition of health issues and obligations assigned to the entrepreneur, as well as the results on heath inherent of those obligations, evaluated through qualitative and quantitative indicators, applied in different time cuts. The data used to define the quantitative indicators was obtained from the Municipal Health Department of the Municipality of Porto Velho and from heath units located in the studied region. As for the qualitative indicators, the data was obtained from structured questionnaires applied to part of the local population, users of the public health system.
Abstract: This study aims to provide an overview of the health care system in specific regions of the Amazon, before and after the construction of Jirau Hydro Power Plant (HPP) to evaluate the efficiency of health activities planned and executed in the scope of the environmental licensing of the project. We studied the health conditions before the implantati...
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Off-Campus Living Among Ekiti State University Students in Southwestern Nigeria: Health and Policy Implications
Fasoro Olatunji Jimoh,
Aduayi Victor Adovi,
Odu Olusola Olugbenga,
Bolarinwa Oladimeji Akeem,
Amu Eyitope Oluseyi
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, June 2018
Pages:
77-83
Received:
1 April 2017
Accepted:
14 June 2017
Published:
6 July 2018
Abstract: The quest for attaining higher educational levels has increased over the year leading to the dwindling in the availability of hostel accommodation. A cross-sectional descriptive study design was conducted among 312 respondents selected utilizing a multistage sampling technique. Quantitative data was collected using a semi structured self-administered questionnaire. Analysis was done as appropriate on the univarate and bivariate levels using SPSS software version 20 package. An assessment of bed space ownership showed a majority, 198 (63.5%) did not have bed space with only 114 (36.5%) being the legal occupant of which 51 (16.3%) were with squatters while the remaining 63 (20.2%) were without squatters. Overall, female students made up the greater proportion of students without legal occupancy. Illegal owners of hostel bedspaces (32.8%) were found to experience more incidences of domestic accidents such as falls, wounds, electric shock, burns and scalds in the hostel compare to legal owners (20.2 Malaria was the predominant ailment experienced by the respondents 95 (49.2%), with asthma being the least 6 (3.1%). A greater proportion of the students are not legal occupants of their rooms. They are either squatters, floaters, colonizers or bought the spaces from the rightful owners. It is thereby advocated that universities need to engage in public private partnership using the “Build, Operate and Transfer” (BOT) model to build more hostels within the University premises.
Abstract: The quest for attaining higher educational levels has increased over the year leading to the dwindling in the availability of hostel accommodation. A cross-sectional descriptive study design was conducted among 312 respondents selected utilizing a multistage sampling technique. Quantitative data was collected using a semi structured self-administer...
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