Health and hygiene risks associated with the use of chemical toilets in an informal settlement in the city of Tshwane

Abstract: Background: The rapid growth of informal settlements is making it difficult for the government to provide adequate infrastructure and sustainable infrastructure, hence the provision of temporary or interim sanitation facilities which often do not meet the households’ sanitation needs. Informal settlements are faced with a number of challenges, including lack of basic services and infrastructure, insecure land tenure, poverty and overcrowding. To address the inequalities, infrastructure such as shared chemical toilets are provided to informal settlements. Shared facilities are only acceptable when they meet the standards for accessibility, safety, hygiene and maintenance. Inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) represent an important health burden in informal settlements. The objectives of this mixed-method study therefore were to describe health and hygiene risk associated with the use of chemical toilets in informal settlements...M.Tech. (Environmental Health