PRATIQUE D’HYGIENE ENVIRONNEMENTALE PAR LA POPULATION DE LA ZONE DE SANTE DE MONT NGAFULA I et II : Niveau et Déterminants

Abstract

Environmental hygiene remains a major public health challenge worldwide, particularly in developing countries where populations live in deplorable conditions. The objective of our research was to assess the level of application of environmental hygiene by the population of the Mont Ngafula I and II health zones and to identify the determinants of this practice within the latter. In response to the questions posed in our research, we hypothesized that the environment of the said health zone suffers from pollution that endangers the health of its residents. The population of this neighborhood does not practice environmental hygiene. There appears to be a significant relationship between sociodemographic and economic characteristics and the practice of environmental hygiene. To conduct our study, we used an interview survey method and random probability sampling. Our study was a descriptive cross-sectional design. Data processing was performed in Excel, where the data were entered, coded, cleaned, and exported to SPSS 22.0 for analysis. Based on the results of our research, our first hypothesis is confirmed, as 96.9% of residents of the Mont Ngafula health zone acknowledged the presence of insects or pests in their toilets; 56.2% of respondents disposed of their waste in the open air (on the ground). As for the second hypothesis, it is virtually confirmed, as 50.3% of respondents admitted to practicing environmental hygiene, compared to 49.7% who did not. Regarding the last hypothesis, it is virtually confirmed, as most of the sociodemographic and economic characteristics are statistically related to the practice of environmental hygiene in our surveys.