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. 2021 May 18;18(10):5355.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph18105355.

Methodology to Investigate Indigenous Solid Waste Systems and Practices in the Rural Areas Surrounding Maseru (Kingdom of Lesotho)

Mpinane Flory Senekane  1 , Agnes Makhene  2   3 , Suzan Oelofse  2   3
Affiliations

Methodology to Investigate Indigenous Solid Waste Systems and Practices in the Rural Areas Surrounding Maseru (Kingdom of Lesotho)

Mpinane Flory Senekane et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Solid waste management (SWM) is the greatest challenge facing environmental protection and human wellbeing in the rural communities of Maseru (Kingsom of Lesotho). A lack of formal waste management (WM) systems in rural areas of Maseru have resulted in different indigenous systems and practices of SWM. Direct observation and descriptive designs will be employed. This is a mixed methods study of qualitative, quantitative and, non-experimental. We obtained data sets from existing official census and statistics of Maseru. We sampled 693 participants from total population of 6917. We received ethical clearance from Research Ethics committee of Health Sciences at the University of Johannesburg, we recruited six field workers. We have preventive equipment (sanitizers, masks, and sterile latex gloves) for COVID-19 infections in place; we have specific design on caps, masks and bags that will identify field workers as they collect data. We will train field workers, administer questionnaires, interview, and observe participants. STATKON will analyse data. The research will share the results with the Ministry of Environment and the community in Lesotho. The results will also be used to educate the rural communities on improved WM. Where weaknesses are identified, mitigation measures can be evaluated and implemented to rectify the negative aspects and improve the systems and practices. The rural communities face challenges such as waste collection services and sanitation facilities and this fact points out that there is a gap in SWM, which favours the existence of indigenous systems and practice of SWM.

Keywords: environmental impacts; health impacts; indigenous; practices; rural communities; solid waste management systems; waste.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The impact of indigenous systems of solid waste management on the environment.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The impact of indigenous systems of solid waste management on human wellbeing.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Map A shows Makhalanyane, Koro-koro, Mofoka, Leutsoa and Mahloenyeng. Source: [53].
Figure 4
Figure 4
Map B shows Masite Nek, Mahloenyeng and Makhalanyane. Source: [54]
Figure 5
Figure 5
Map C shows Koro-koro, Mofokas, Leitsoa and Mahloenyeng. Source: [55].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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