ABSTRACT

In order to improve our health and wellbeing, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is an important concept that needs to be evaluated. Most of the prevalent health challenges experienced in developing countries today are not far-fetched from the concept of water, sanitation and hygiene. The aim of this study was to investigate the Water, sanitation and hygiene status in Uwelu and Evbareke spare parts markets in Benin City. The physicochemical and microbiological qualities of the bore hole water at the spare parts markets were investigated adopting standard analytical procedures and pour plate techniques respectively. The sanitation and hygiene levels of the spare parts markets were evaluated using standard questionnaires. Findings revealed that the pH values of Uwelu and Evbareke ranged from 5.28 to 5.29 and 4.78 to 5.11 respectively. The highest concentration of chloride was observed in Evbareke point B 49.70mg/l while that of Nitrate and BOD were 2.06mg/l in Evbareke point A and 0.88mg/l in Uwelu point B respectively. Iron, Lead and chromium were 0.1mg/l in both Uwelu point A and Evbareke point A, 0.02mg/l in Evbareke point B and 0.1mg/l Evabreke point B respectively. Total heterotrophic bacterial and fungal counts ranged from 3.1 to 4.4 × 10 Cfu/ml and  3.1 to 2.9 × 10 Cfu/ml (Evbareke). The values for total fungal counts ranged from 1.9 to 1.7 × 10 Cfu/ml (Uwelu) and 2.2 to 2.6 × 10 Cfu/ml (Evbareke). The total coliform counts in Uwelu and Evbareke spare parts markets ranged from 4 to 9 MPN/ml and 0 to 20 MPN/ml. The status of water, sanitation and hygiene in both spare parts markets is affected by all determined components of this study, therefore, the public needs to be sensitized on the intrinsic dangers that may arise if measures are not taken to improve water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.