Evaluation of market sanitation surveillance system, Juaboso District, Ghana 2021-2024

Abstract

Introduction: Poor waste management practices in marketplaces create an enabling environment for the spread of sanitation-related diseases globally. Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) conduct routine inspection in markets looking out for sanitation nuisances to abate. With sanitation related diseases like diarrhea and typhoid on the increase in the districts, we determined if the market sanitation surveillance system in Juaboso District is meeting its objectives, assessed its attributes and determined its usefulness. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted in Juaboso District. Key stakeholders were selected for interviews adapting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Updated Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems. Surveillance data were reviewed from 2021 to 2024. Microsoft excel 2016 was used for descriptive analysis and results were presented as tables, map, chart. Thematic analysis was used for qualitative data as texts. Results: The surveillance system covered four (4) market centers in Juaboso District. Nuisances detected for the four area councils were 1,920 over the period. Abatement notices were served to 100% (1,920). Out of these, proportion 96.6% (1855/1920) were abated by offenders. All the reporting forms were completely filled 100% (80/80) with no missing field. Reports from operational areas were on time. Data was kept on computers and paper files were used as backups. System data was used by the district assembly and EHOs to do periodic clean-up exercises. Conclusion: Market sanitation surveillance system(MSSS) in Juaboso District is meeting its objectives through nuisance detection. It was found to be sensitive and timely with good data quality. The system was useful as it is used to improve sanitation periodic clean-up exercise programs. EHOs should intensify health education to market traders and users to improve sanitation practices in the markets.