Abstract:
Objective: This study was designed to investigate human health effects of exposure
to wastewater among residents nearby river Msimbazi in Kigogo ward, Dar es
Salaam, particularly on skin diseases, respiratory conditions and reproductive
problems.
Methodology: This case control study recruited 200 respondents, among them 100
were exposed in 500 metres from river Msimbazi and 100 were non exposed 2000
metres far from river Msimbazi. Data were collected using administered
questionnaires and analysis was made by Statistical Package for Social Sciences
(SPSS) version 21.0.
Findings: The present study reports findings from 100 (50%) male and 100 (50%)
female respondents. A minimum year of the respondents spent in occupation was 1
year and maximum was 22 years. Among of 200 respondents, 47 (23.5%) had history
of skin diseases and 20 (10%) respiratory conditions while 37 (18.5%) reported to
have reproductive problems. The skin diseases reported were skin itching and rashes
29 (14.5%), black spots on the skin 12 (6.0%) and scabies 6 (3.0%). The reported
respiratory conditions included pneumonia 13 (6.5%), asthma 6 (3%) and wheezing 1
(0.5). The reproductive problems were miscarriage 27 (13.5%), low birth weight 5
(2.5%), preterm birth 3 (1.5%) and prolonged time to pregnancy 2 (1%). The factors
that were associated with exposure status were existence of source of pollutants that
pollutes river Msimbazi (p=0.010), number of years that respondents spent in
occupation (p=0.016), ignorance of respondents on the use of personal protective
equipments such that apron was (p=0.013), overall (p=0.043) and sunglasses
(p=0.013). Variables such as age less than 35 years (p=0.034), distance less than 0.5
kms in proximity from river Msimbazi (p=0.005) were significantly associated with
skin diseases. Female respondents (p=0.005), nature of respondents occupational for
survival (p=0.048) were significantly associated with respiratory conditions while
respondents education level (p=0.000), existence of source of pollutants that pollutes
river Msimbazi (p=0.002) were significantly associated with reproductive problems.
Conclusion: Exposure to wastewater was associated with skin diseases, respiratory
conditions and reproductive problems more to exposed residents nearby river
Msimbazi compared to non exposed
