The European union micro-projects program in water and sanitation and reduction in the incidence of some diseases in the rural communities of Imo State

 Edmund E. Nkwocha¹* and Ralph O. Egejuru²

¹Department of Environmental Technology, Federal University of Technology,

P. M. B. 1526, Owerri, Imo State Nigeria.

²Pathology Unit, Federal Medical Center, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. Email: eenkwocha@yahoo.com. Tel: +234 803 508 8288.

Accepted 17 September, 2009

   Abstract

Many studies in the rural communities in Imo State have revealed that the levels of water and sanitation services are generally unsatisfactory. This has led to high prevalence of many diseases associated with water scarcity and poor hygiene. This study examined the role of the European Union Micro-Projects Program in water and sanitation in the reduction of the incidence of some of these diseases in the rural areas of Imo State. 540 subjects were randomly selected and interviewed in 15 rural communities that benefited from water and sanitation projects between 2003 and 2007. Impacts were evaluated in the areas of water supply and sanitation in terms of quality, quantity, incidence of diseases and their rate of reduction among the local population. Results showed considerable improvements in the quantity of water supply (62%), sanitation (52%), as well as reduction in the incidence of diseases (40%). The success recorded in this externally funded program resulted from many factors, of which the most important is the adoption of the participatory development model by the donor agency in project execution.

Key words: Diseases, donor agency, micro-projects, participation, sanitation, water.