Thesis (MSc) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research Environmental Studies Department

Includes bibliography (sheets 45-52)

ABSTRACT
This study aims to investigate the impacts of the solid waste management practice in
Bosaso district, Somalia on its environment and public health. A cross-sectional
descriptive study was utilized in this study. 384 participants were selected from Bosaso
district resident who had been living in the district for the past two years using
snowballing technique. A Google survey designed 30 items close-ended questionnaire
was distributed to the study participants through Whatsapp, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Descriptive analysis such as frequency and percentage was used to analyze the result
with the questionnaire reliability tested with Exploratory factor analysis. Result showed
that the majority (74%) of Bosaso district residents have knowledge on the effects of
solid waste on public health and environment. Food waste (62.8%) was the major
contributor to the district solid waste generation with plastics and paper wastes making
up the majority of the rest. Burning of waste in public area and burying of waste were
evident poor solid waste management practice in the region. Result also showed that
53.1% of the participants have had a sickness within the previous 12 month while 45.8%
reported having more than one sickness in the timeframe. The public health issues
commonly experienced in the region are malaria, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A, Faeces
with blood or Mucus. The study’s result showed that poor solid waste management
practices such as burying waste and burning waste lead to land, water and air pollution
which contributed to varying public health issues of the district.
KEYWORDS: Dumpsite, Environment, Public health, Solid waste.