UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA
SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
Concept research proposal for Masters study
NAME OF STUDENT
Lawrence Owaga
COMPUTER NUMBER: 2017023493
DEGREE REGISTERED FOR:
Master of Science One Health Food Safety
SUPERVISORS:
Dr Doreen Sitali
TITLE
State of Sanitation facilities and prevalence of Diarrheal diseases. A
case study on open air market in Kanyama, Lusaka.
Brief statement of research question
What is the state of sanitation facilities in Kanyama open air markets in Lusaka? This study aims
to explore the state of Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) conditions in open air markets
within the city of Lusaka, sub district Kanyama.
While there is a general consensus that better WASH conditions may help in improving food
safety this is not explicit, especially in market settings.
Introduction
Food safety and diarrheal diseases are a global concern with particular interest to developing
countries including Zambia. The City of Lusaka has various open air markets where fresh food
produce is sold and act as a major risk factor in outbreak of foodborne diarrheal diseases. As
reported by the UN-Habitat report in 2007, this means that coping with the management of this
markets proves to be a challenge hence unsafe handling of these food products in the open air
markets would likely translate to increased incidences of foodborne diseases including diarrhea.
Literature review
Both food and water safety are issues of global concern (Beauchat, 2006 p. 38). At the same time,
there is irrefutable evidence that food safety, particularly in developing countries (Zambia
included) is not strong and is lacking (Oloo et al, 2018). In a survey conducted between 2009 and
2015 in 29 countries globally, including South Africa and Zimbabwe, the main risk factors to food
safety were identified. These included lack of food safety knowledge, need for necessary policies
and enforcement by government (Uyttendaele et al, 2015).
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It is important to note that other than providing necessary infrastructure for sanitation and hygiene
or WASH it is important to consider the behavioral aspects of the same. People should be able to
adopt the use of the infrastructure for success in fighting diarrheal diseases. To support this line of
thinking Huttly et al, (1997) observed that hand washing reduces diarrhea by about 33% and that
it works best when incorporated in a behavior change package. This emphasizes the need for
education and awareness creation as part of preventing occurrence of diarrheal diseases.
Problem Statement
There is rapid growth of food open air markets in Africa and Zambia is no exception. As reported
by the UN-Habitat report in 2007, this means that coping with the management of this market
proves to be a challenge hence unsafe handling of these food products in the open air food
markets would likely translate to increased incidences of foodborne diseases including diarrheal.
Study Justification
Fresh produce makes up a major component of food for populations in urban areas in Zambia
(UNDP, 2013, p.11) and Lusaka which is the largest city in the Country. Therefore, it is important
for people to understand how their behavior and activities contribute to the safety of food and how
they can decrease the risk of foodborne illnesses. Consequently, an understanding of the
sanitation situation in markets would help in regulating and improving food handling for a better
health of residents of Lusaka. In addition, the results will be instrumental in helping city officials in
policy formulation and decision making as regards food safety in open air market in Lusaka
district.
Objectives
To describe the state of sanitation facilities and estimate the prevalence of diarrheal diseases in
Kanyama sub –district in Lusaka
Specific objectives

To estimate the prevalence of diarrheal diseases in Kanyama marketeers in open air
markets

To evaluate the adequacy of sanitation facilities,

To evaluate awareness of hygiene and access hygiene practices amongst the marketers
Methodology
To determine the state of sanitation at the open air market a WASH survey will be used. The
methods to used to collect data will be a structured questionnaire; this will focus on sanitation,
hygiene practices, water for drinking and availability for hand washing facilities for the marketeers.
In addition, an observation checklist will be applied to verify the hygiene practices such as hand
washing and the techniques used, proper disposal of solid waste, sufficient parameter for
sanitation within the market and the toilets available focusing on the following aspects: hand
washing station, roof, lid on hole (in case of pit latrine) and smooth cleanable floor.
Ethical considerations
Ethical approvals will be sought from the University of Zambia Biomedical Research Ethics
Committee (UNZABREC) . In addition, permission to conduct the study will be sought from Lusaka
City Council (LCC) prior to commencement of the study. Informed consents will be sought from all
participants because some questions will be intrusive
Expected Benefits of the study
i. Representative analyzed data on WASH facilities in open air food markets
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ii.
Comprehensive report on WASH situation and attitudes of traders and consumers in open
food markets markets
iii. Recommendations on policy and institutional actions to improve WASH and subsequent
food safety situation in Lusaka Municipality markets
Reference list
Beuchat, L.R. (2016) Vectors and conditions for preharvest contamination of fruits and vegetables
with pathogens capable of causing enteric diseases.
Oloo et al (2018) Food Safety Legislation in some Developing Countries
Uyttendaele et al (2015) Food safety, a Global Challenge. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health
2016, 13, 67; doi: 10.3390/ijerph13010067
UNDP (2013) Zambia Agriculture Investment Brief; CAADP Investment Facilitation Programme
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