Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
conditions (Mbaye et al, 2000). Observations were made of UA's use of
substantial amounts of both wastewater and pesticides in the zone.
Farmers reported malaria, parasitic infection, dermatitis and fatigue as the
top four illnesses they had had in the past year. In comparison, health district
statistics in Pikine cited malaria, dermatitis, parasitic infections, arterial
hypertension, diarrhoea and anaemia among the top six diseases for all ages in
the district (Pikine District Health Centre, 2005). Interestingly, diarrhoea was
not cited among the farmers as a health problem, perhaps because of its
greater severity and incidence among children. Under-reporting of diarrhoeal
episodes may also occur due to the cultural taboos related to discussing issues
related to toilet habits in Senegal. As a result of focus group discussions and
findings from initial questionnaires, it was decided that the PEAR process
would focus on wastewater and pesticide use in the zone.
Perceptions of wastewater, health and environment risk
In Pikine, farmers use untreated wastewater and what are known as ce´anes to
irrigate their fields. Ce´ anes are large, shallow, hand-dug wells up to 3m deep
and 5m in diameter and are highly saline due to their proximity to the coast
and to sea level. Untreated wastewater is often accessed via cracked sewage
mains, sometimes broken on purpose by farmers, that carry untreated
wastewater. Farmers were observed wading directly into ponds to fill their
watering cans, wearing only shorts and a T-shirt. After watering, farmers
also touch crops directly, as they weed and plant. In addition to dermal
exposure, there is a potential for ingestion as water splashes frequently into
the face, and farmers often eat in the fields immediately after watering.
Ninety-three per cent of farmers surveyed said that they did not use
protective equipment, citing that it impeded work and was too costly. In
focus group discussions, farmers mentioned bad odours and nausea as
nuisances, but also stated that they became accustomed to them after some
time.
When asked to list illnesses potentially related to wastewater, 45 per cent of
the farmers said that there were none, almost exactly the same as that in an
earlier study - 45.8 per cent of farmers did not consider wastewater as a source
of illness (Niang, 2002). Furthermore, 71 per cent of the farmers said that they
personally had not suffered any illnesses related to wastewater. Parasitic
infections, malaria and dermatitis were, however, among the health effects that
were cited for those who had made the connection. A study conducted in 2000
in Pikine, where water sources are mixed (ce´ane and raw wastewater), showed
that at least 41 per cent of those farmers using ce´ane water were infected with
intestinal parasites. The most common parasites found were Ascaris ascaris
(roundworm), Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) and Strongyloides stercoralitis
(threadworm) (Niang, 2002). This suggests that many of these farmers may
have been infected by parasites without knowing it, partially explaining why
they did not initially see the need for education on wastewater effects. The
invisibility of contaminants and the lack of connection made between
