Polio, Other Infectious Diseases Caused By Open Defecation In Nigeria

Researchers revealed that open defecation, identified as the virus’ primary transmission source in Nigeria, is hampering the country’s efforts to eliminate poliomyelitis (polio).

Monday Johnson, the UNICEF Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist, has explained that polio, which is spread by person-to-person contact with the virus living in the throat and in the intestines, can be contracted through contact with the faeces (fecal-oral spread) or by the spread of droplets in a sneeze or cough. He states, “Polio can also be spread by an infected person who has contaminated food or fluids by touching or tasting them. Unfortunately, a person can be infectious and transmit the virus even before they develop any symptoms as it lives in an infected person’s throat and intestines.”

According to top Zaid Jurji, UNICEF official, “The situation of sanitation in Nigeria is alarming. Nigeria is third worldwide when it comes to open defecation; one-third of the population practise it”. He wondered why Nigeria, which he described a “heavyweight country” that is held in high regard globally, is still entangled in this infamy.

“However, the number of people still defecating in the open remains high and the problem needs addressing, which is why countries, such as Nigeria, are tackling the issue head-on. Open defecation can harm and negatively affects the health of countries’ populations through the contamination of drinking water and the spread of contagious diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea and dysentery.”

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently linked 12.6 million yearly deaths to unhealthy and unclean environments. Who also stated that diarrhoea accounts for 9 per cent of the death of children under five years worldwide, which is as a result of the faecal-oral disease, where germs are ingested due to contact with infected faeces. Official data displays that Nigeria loses over 150,000 children to diarrhoea yearly.

The United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) has disclosed that Nigeria’s diarrhoea prevalence rate is 18.8 per cent and is one of the worst in sub-Sahara Africa, above the average of 16 per cent. UNICEF also said that diarrhoea accounts for over 16 per cent of child deaths in Nigeria and an estimated 150,000 deaths, mainly among children under five occur yearly, which is mainly caused by poor sanitation and hygiene practices.

Although there are high statistics regarding open defecation in Nigeria, the country is attempting to tackle the problem. Nigeria has made progress toward improving sanitation through its ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet’ campaign.

The objective of the national campaign is to completely rid Nigeria of open defecation by 2025 through the encouragement of hygiene behaviour in 47 million Nigerians. Some parts of Nigeria, such as the Cross River State in the South-Eastern region have made progress within the country after becoming the first open defecation-free local government area.