Expert Warns Open Defecation Is Fueling Water Contamination & Disease Outbreaks
Unsafe Sanitation Threatens Public Health
A medical practitioner, Dr. Edet Effiong, has warned that the continued practice of open defecation poses a major threat to public health by contaminating drinking water sources and increasing the spread of preventable diseases across communities.
Effiong, who serves at the General Hospital, Oron, Akwa Ibom State, said improper disposal of human waste allows harmful pathogens to enter rivers, streams, drainage channels, wells and boreholes, especially during heavy rainfall, exposing residents to serious health risks.
He spoke in an interview on Monday in Lagos.
Contaminated Water Fuels Disease Outbreaks
According to the physician, rainwater frequently washes human waste from open spaces into nearby water bodies, while some contaminants seep underground into groundwater sources used for domestic consumption.
He explained that once drinking water becomes polluted with bacteria, viruses and parasites, communities become vulnerable to outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, diarrhoea, hepatitis A and intestinal worm infections.
Effiong warned that densely populated communities are particularly susceptible, noting that a single contaminated water source could expose hundreds of people within a short period and overwhelm healthcare facilities.
Children Face Greater Health Risks
The doctor noted that children remain the most vulnerable victims of poor sanitation because their immune systems are still developing.
He explained that children are more likely to come into contact with contaminated soil, water and surfaces during play, increasing their risk of severe illness, dehydration and, in extreme cases, death.
Beyond immediate illness, Effiong cautioned that repeated exposure to contaminated water could contribute to long-term health complications, including malnutrition, stunted growth, weakened immunity and impaired cognitive development.
Hospitals Record Seasonal Increases in Waterborne Diseases
Drawing from clinical experience, the physician said hospitals often witness increases in diarrhoea and typhoid cases following periods of heavy rainfall.
Investigations, he noted, have sometimes traced these outbreaks to wells and boreholes located close to areas where open defecation is common.
He also recalled treating children admitted with severe dehydration after consuming contaminated water, describing many of the cases as entirely preventable through improved sanitation and access to safe water.
Call for Stronger Sanitation Measures
Effiong urged governments at all levels to expand access to public toilets, improve water and sanitation infrastructure and strengthen enforcement of environmental sanitation regulations.
He also called for sustained public awareness campaigns to encourage behavioural change, urging residents to embrace proper hygiene practices and eliminate open defecation in order to protect public health and reduce avoidable disease outbreaks.
