Gouvernance urbaine et gestion des dechets managers dans la ville de santchou-cameroun: Entre spoliation environnementale et impacts sanitaires associes

Background: Household waste management is a daily struggle for millions of urban dwellers in developing countries. In Cameroon, the issue of household waste management remains a significant challenge. The small town of Santchou, located in the transition zone between the Littoral and West regions, faces enormous difficulties in managing household waste. Objective: This study aims to examine household waste management and its associated environmental and health impacts in Santchou. Method: A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted among 388 households in four neighborhoods of the town and key informants involved in waste management. Research tools used included questionnaires, interviews, and direct field observations. Results: The study reveals that household waste management in Santchou is ineffective, leading to the accumulation of waste and significant environmental degradation. 88% of households reported that this situation is a source of proliferation of flies, mosquitoes, rodents, and soil and water pollution through leach ate. This has resulted in the presence of waterborne diseases, mosquito-borne diseases, and other diseases transmitted by flies among the population of Santchou. Conclusion: The development of intermediate waste disposal sites in different neighborhoods, waste sorting, and the establishment of a waste recovery market can mitigate the environmental and health impacts of waste in Santchou.