Assessment of Socio-Environmental and Health Status of Residents Near Valiathura Sewage Farm in Thiruvanan-thapuram District

摘要

The present study was carried out to understand the socio-economic, environmental and healthstatus including the prevalence of diseases among the residents in the surroundings of ValiathuraSewage Farm in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. The detailed survey was conducted duringthe month of September 2010 among the residents (N = 100) in the surroundings of ValiathuraSewage Farm with a self-prepared questionnaire. The findings revealed that people in thestudy area are socially and economically backwards. The sanitary conditions of households inthe study area were very poor and 34% dug wells situated very close (< 3 m) to the latrine. Theresults showed that during the study period communicable diseases are more prevalent thannon-communicable diseases. The residents adjacent the sewage farm and Parvathy Puthanarcanal are suffering from water-borne diseases (Jaundice), vector-borne diseases (Chikungunyafever and Dengue fever) and skin diseases (facial rashes, itching problems and eye irritation).The study recommends stringent measures should be taken by the authorities of State HealthDepartment to protect the wellbeing of people in Valiathura area.