Introduction
The sanitary condition of a market is a key factor to human existence as most consumables that may either affect health positively or adversely are sold and bought from the market. Market plays an important role in the determination of our health and the overall wellbeing of the individual in particular as well as the community where it is located. The origin of the market is as old as the beginning of human race. All over the world, market is a place where business transactions are carried out (Ocheoba, 2010). It is a place where people meet from time to time to buy and sell goods and services.
Agboola and Pacey (2010) referred to sanitation which is also known as environmental sanitation is the science of safeguarding health. They further asserted that sanitation is a way of life; it is the quality of living that expressed in the clean home, the clean farm, the clean business, the clean neighbourhood and the clean community. Park (2007) added that the term environmental sanitation as defined by World Health Organisation (WHO, 2010) as the control of all those factors in man’s physical environment which exercise or may exercise a deleterious effect on his physical.
Under normal circumstances, the market should be a place where people gather together for business transaction. In this country (Nigeria), it should be a place approved, developed and built by local government authority to standard. A market should be a place equipped with sanitary conveniences and social infrastructure for health usage. Thus market sanitation is an umbrella word and it involves all the principles and method adopted by the appropriate agencies to ensure sound and healthy habits in the market environment which will then affect the health of the people positively (Federal Ministry of Environment, 2012).
Market sanitation also includes the use of sanitary measures, health education, hygienic habit and provision of adequate and good infrastructures and manpower such as health personnel and equipment. Its negligence is due to man’s negative attitude to sanitation and regulations, coupled with poor infrastructural facilities used by government contractors in the construction of the markets.
Market can be defined as an area where buyers and sellers are in a close contact with one another. It is a situation where the condition in one part of the market affects the other. Market plays a very important role in our economic system because this is the place prices is determined. The chief function of market is to determine prices and to facilitate buying and selling of commodities (Ocheoba, 2010).
Market can also be defined as a “contact between buyers and sellers for the purpose of buying and selling. A market needs not to be sited in a specific location but be any contact between buyers and sellers which can be made by letter, telephone or internet” (Uguru, 2007). He further stated that the steady increase in human population and overcrowding in modern markets has subsequently led to overcrowding in the market as more people are now attracted in the market. This invariably also has resulted in the overstretching of sanitary conveniences provided.
The population explosion of the market has led to the generation of more refuse than originally planned by local government council and the council is not rising up to this challenge. Therefore, refuse generation now leads to the blockage of drains that causes flooding whenever it rains. The condition of flooding in the market and its environs is also as a result of the poor attitude of council to construct adequate drains and negligence of the maintenance of the constructed drainages by traders and other market personnel. The problem of open dumping of refuse also adds to the resultant flooding in this area of study. In line with this, the World Health Organisation (2008) condemned open dumping of refuse that creates public health hazards; nuisance and severe pollution of the environment which is usually associated with a number of public health and safety problems such as the spread of disease, fire, air pollution and other forms of pollution leading to flooding of the market and its environs, fire outbreak most of the time as a result of indiscriminate burning of refuse, vermin and fly infestation, that causes contamination of food items, unsightedness, as well as offensive odour in the place.
Definition of market
A market is an open space or covered buildings set aside where people gather to purchase (sell, offer service or buy) provision, goods, commodities and food. A market is necessary in a village, town or city. It helps authorities to ensure the sales of commodities and foodstuffs under sanitary conditions (Abiodun, 2006).
From an economist point of view, Ocheoba (2010) defined a market as “an area where buyers and sellers are in close contact with one another”. He further said that “market plays a very important role in our economic system because this is the place where prices are determined. The chief function of market is to determine prices and to facilitate buying and selling of commodities”. Uguru (2007) also described a market as “a contact between buyers and sellers for the purpose of buying and selling”. He went further to state that “a market needs not be sited in a specific location, that contact between buyers and sellers can also be made by letters, telephone or internet.
From the three definitions above, it is clear that market is any place or contact point, where people meet daily or periodically for buying and selling of goods and services. It is an integral part of our community and it is obvious that the insanitary condition of market is associated with serious consequences like the outbreak of diseases, ill health and even death.
History of market
According to Abiodun (2006), “the history of market is as old as human existence” This statement implies that market has been with human being right from the time of our forefathers when the system of trade by barter was practiced. Markets over the years have undergone a lot of transformation and structural changes to meet with modern commerce and business transactions. In the pre-colonial rule and the time of our forefathers, different media of exchange were used as money for business transaction. These include salt, cowries, gunpowder, ivories, precious metals, etc. As societies undergo transformation and modernization, convertible currencies and standardized means of exchange of goods and services are now used by the various countries, for effective commercial activities.
Types of market
Dennis (2009) classified market to include the following:
- Temporary market
- Semi-permanent market
- Permanent market
- Temporary market: These are types of market in area the population density is very low. They contain insanitary sheds constructed by villagers with local materials.
- Semi-permanent market: These are markets found in towns and semi-urban areas. Part of these markets have permanent structures constructed with suitable materials and are without specific pattern. These types of structures and sheds are therefore insanitary.
- Permanent market: These are markets found mainly in big towns and metropolitan cities. They are markets constructed to specification, having plans, layouts, installs, sanitary conveniences and are constructed as permanent structures and suitable materials. They can accommodate sizeable numbers of people at the same time.
Selection of market site
Many factors influence the choice of the location of market. These factors range from political to the topographical nature of the soil and social consideration. King and Neld (2007) asserted that “the assessment of the suitability of a plot of land for building development is a matter which requires considerable skill and experience.” Murison and Lea (2010) quoting McPherson Ronald, stated that adequate site planning must precede any building operation. When selecting a market site, consideration should be given to the nature of the soil, moisture content, natural lighting and air movement, location from any possible sources of nuisances and the nuisance and the topography of the site.
A market site in a community should be central located to allow for easy accessibility. It should be on an elevated and level ground not subject to flooding, to prevent dampness and stagnation of water. The site must be culturally and politically acceptable to its final users.
Market construction
World Health organization (WHO, 2010) defined housing as “the physical structure that man uses for shelter and the environs of that structure including all necessary services, facilities, equipment and mental health and social well-being of family and individual”. Edosomwan (2005), added that “housing is the process of constructing building under sanitary regulations such that they do not cause any health hazard to the inhabitants or surrounding.”
Obikudu (2014) said “after a market site has been chosen approved plan drawn, the next step is the full construction of the market structures” He went further to say that “the materials and the nature of the market depend greatly on the healthy nature and suitability of the market”. From the foundation level, the right construction materials and the necessary precautionary measures must be observed. These measures include:
- The use of impervious and durable materials in the construction of the market.
- Provision of adequate network of sanitary drains.
- Provision of adequate sanitary conveniences and social amenities.
- Arrangement of market stalls in rows with adequate open spaces between rows.
Market layout
In the view of Ugbe (2007), “to allow for easy movement of persons and goods, stalls should be laid out in straight lines. The walk ways should be wide. The width of each stall should not be less than three metres. The floor of the stalls should be thirty centimetres above ground level. The walls and floor should be made of concrete and should be constructed in such a way to allow for easy cleaning. The planks should not project beyond the frontage of the stall. There should be adequate space for roads in between stalls depending on the goods to be sold there.
Arrangement of stalls
Williams (2003), is of the opinion that “arrangement are made to give section to related commodities, this he said is very important in market”. It is not wise and proper for market vendors and users to display their products and goods indiscriminately in the market in most unhygienic nature”. For effective sanitary disposal of refuse and good hygiene, goods and items sold in the market are to be arranged and grouped according to their nature and formation. He further proposed that “market stalls should be mapped out into sections according to the types of products approved for sale” e.g. provision/flour, foodstuffs (rice, beans, garri, yam, etc.).
Market sanitation
Market as an institution plays a predominant role in the sustenance of our health and also a means of social interaction. In spite of its numerous advantages, market premises if not properly inspected and kept clean, can serve as means for the transmission of diseases. Some of these diseases are highly communicable and deadly.
Generally, sanitation is a weapon in the fight against diseases. It improves quality of human life, reduces death and increases life expectancy (WHO, 2010). The number of deaths resulting from food, illness and its related products in our various health institutions is on the upward trend. This can be attributed mainly to the sale and consumption of unwholesome products purchased from our markets. This calls for a serious and enduring effort to put the situation under control. This is why effective market sanitation is a necessity. WHO (2010) further stressed that “sanitation be it rural, urban or market, promotes life if effectively implemented.
Market sanitation is the act or systematic monitoring of all the activities of our market environment in order to detect and abate nuisance that night be hazardous to health. It also involves the use of health education to enlighten the market users on health principles and hygiene, through regular workshops and the use of electronic media to ensure wholesomeness of the products vis-a-vis the health of the people.
In Nigeria, the local government which is the third tier of government are saddled with the responsibilities of building, maintenance and supervision of markets. The health officers through market sanitation should ensure regular inspection of markets and provision of adequate and essential amenities like pipe-borne water supply, refuse disposal vehicles, urinals and latrine accommodation in the market in order to prevent health hazards.
When inspecting a market, attention should be paid to the wholesomeness of perishable food items like milk and vegetables. Rotten and unwholesome food can lead to infections and should be confiscated. The environmental health officer should order for their destruction in accordance with the Public Health Law, 2006, Food Stuff and Regulated Premises Adoptive Bye-Law, 2006, and the Environmental Sanitation Edict, 1986. Where there is need, defaulters should be prosecuted. He said “Where latrines are not provided or are inadequate in any market, traders result resort to disposing of their faeces in open refuse dumps. Thus the provision of adequate and wholesome water in our market reduces the rate of the spread of diseases. Awareness is an important factor in carrying out any programme in a locality or society at large. If people are not aware of the programme, they will not respond to such programme, instead their attitude will be negative leading to non participation in that programme. There is evidence of dampness of the walls and leaky roofs of some of the stalls of the market buildings and council is not in a hurry to effect repair on them.
Refuse (solid waste) management
World Health Organization (2010) defined solid waste (refuse) as useless, unwanted or discarded materials that arise from man’s activities and are not free flowing. This includes deposited refuse particles, (even when temporarily suspended in air or water) heterogeneous mass of throw away activities as well as the more homogeneous accumulation of agricultural, industrial and mineral waste and that, which have monetary value when recycled”. Refuse whether domestic, industrial or commercial is known as substance produced in our day to day activities through the process of consumption, recreation, production etc. which are unwanted and no longer useful to its original owner”.
Open dumping of refuse (solid waste) is the most insanitary method of refuse disposal that creates public health hazards, nuisance and severe pollution of the environment. Solid wastes (refuse) are mostly generated in the market environment. They are the most problematic types of waste to manage. In market, whether rural or urban, refuse does not only become a source of public health nuisance, but also source of fire outbreak. It also constitutes problems of the flow of traffic near markets, especially where the management of the refuse is very poor. Refuse should be dispose off properly to keep the market clean. It is the duty of health authority to ensure that the market is in good condition and free from all forms of refuse. Ideal or sanitary refuse bins should be provided in all stalls for the storage of refuse. Temporary refuse dump site should be constructed at strategic area around the market for the temporary collection and disposal of refuse by the local government council.
The council should also provide refuse vans and labourers for quick and rapid evacuation of refuse. Competent refuse van drivers and labourers are required to boost performance. The decision to use any form of final disposal method, should be guided by either the volume of refuse generated in the market, the land available, the nature of the soil in the town where the market is situated or the technology available for refuse disposal. If incineration is the best option for the area, incinerator should also be provided by the council. Combustible refuse should be burnt in the incinerator, while the incombustible materials can be buried or disposed off through sanitary landfill.
Sewage disposal
Oluwande (2011) identified absence of latrine accommodation as the cause of indiscriminate defecation and its attendant problems of odour nuisance, fly infestation, handling of fresh faeces and contamination of underground water. The latrine accommodation in most markets are inadequate for the population, hence the life span becomes so short and difficult to maintain which result to indiscriminate defecation. There should therefore be adequate latrine accommodation and urinals for males and females. The Federal Ministry of Environment (2012) made it abundantly clear in its Policy Guidelines on Market and abattoir sanitation that in a market, there should be one unit of latrine accommodation to twenty-five persons, which should be functional and clean. That there should be regular supply of portable source of water and the availability of one stand pipe per two hundred persons. Surely, if they are adhered to, there would be minimal problems of public health in our markets. The latrine accommodation provided should meet with the Federal Ministry of Environment (2012) guidelines which calls for effective maintenance, that there should be no leakage and backflow soil pipes. Overfilled or cracked septic tanks and soak away pits leading to spillage of sewage and that the source of water supply should not be far from the latrines.
Sally (2007) stated that, “toilets are of no value unless they are well used, well maintained and well cleaned and unless the population including children have been carefully taught on how to use them.” He went further to stress that “an effective way of spreading diarrhoea disease is to build public latrines, give disposal no health education and arrange for no maintenance structure. Such facility will quickly become the most serious strictly health risk in the entire community.”
Drains and drainage system
As a result of the very important of effective drain and drainage system, especially in market environment, the Federal Ministry of Environment (2012) in her policy guidelines on market and abattoir stated that there should be provision and maintenance of drains to keep them functional, for the reduction of communicable diseases. It states that, “adequate sanitary facilities to ensure sound sanitation of market and abattoirs should be provided as much as possible, infrastructure and services to markets and abattoirs be made self sustaining to prevent blockage of drains, stagnant water, receptacle capable of serving as breeding ground for mosquitoes and other disease vectors and also as potential sources of contamination”.
Park (2007) recognised the serious public health problems associated with the negative attitude of the negligence of regular clearing of drains when she said, “death due to drowning in floods or burial beneath landslides or collapsing homes are perhaps the most dramatic signs of suffering that drainage can help to alleviate”. She added that “less noticeable to an outbreak, but of greater impact on the residents living in a poor community is the steady toll of disease, disability and death by standing water.” She went further to say that “first in public health importance is the many faecal-oral infections acquired by consumption of contaminated food and drinks.” Children are particularly exposed to infection when playing or bathing in surface water. Surface water becomes contaminated with pathogens from blocked sewer and overflowing septic tanks.
The impact of the negligence of market sanitation
Federal Ministry of Environment (2012) noted that “activities involved in buying and selling generate large quantities of refuse at the market places.” That the heap of refuse provides excellent breeding grounds for vectors of communicable diseases including rodents, insects, etc. and may also pose fire hazards apart from being eyesores and sources of unpleasant odour.” It said, very frequently, refuse is dumped in drainage or canals and along water courses with impunity.
It when further to state that another common feature of market in Nigeria is the gross inadequacy of sanitary facilities such as portable water, toilets and bathrooms refuse bags, etc. Open urination and defecation are widespread and the resultant contamination of the environment contributes to environmental degradation. It went further to state that “poor supervision of market by ill-trained, ill-equipped and corrupt officials has led to overcrowding as well as trading on access roads within and outside the markets. All these added to the dangers that traders face. Blockage of access roads within the market and its surrounding sometimes lead to unnecessary loss of lives and properties in an event of emergency evacuation during fire accidents. The insanitary condition of the market also exposes the buyers and sellers to communicable diseases like malaria fever, typhoid fever, unsightliness, offensive odour, fire outbreak, flooding of the environment, etc. as a result of frequent refuse accumulation, inadequacy of sanitary facilities and overcrowding.
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