Investigation of environmental and health impacts solid waste management problems and associated factors in Asella town, Ethiopia

Solid wastes are substances thrown away by the institutions of individual households in the urban community. The solid waste management practice in Asella town was inappropriate caused environmental pollution and exposed different urban health difficulties. The main objective was to determine the environmental and health impacts of solid waste management problems and associated factors in Asella town. Data collection was carried out through a house-to-house community survey process with a method of cross-sectional study design. A total sample size of 418 households was selected and implemented a simple random and systematic probability sampling technique. The statistical analysis of the binary logistic regression model was used to perform the correlational test about health issues in Asella town. The environmental impact assessment indicators were 13.4% soil pollution, 31.6% air pollution, 20.8% environmental deterioration, and 34.2% water pollution. The health impact indicators were 49.5% respiratory diseases, 18.2% asthmatic (bronchitis) cases, 15.8% diarrheal diseases, 14.8% protozoan illnesses, and 1.7% cancer cases. The odds ratio of females AOR = 1.18; 95%, CI:0.48-2.89, educational districts of can't read and write AOR = 2.31: 95% CI = 0.48-11.1, primary cycle AOR = 2.32, 95% CI:0.58-9.21, Secondary cycle AOR = 2.19, 95% CI = 0.60-7.98, and tertiary cycle AOR = 4.98, 95% C1.06-23.46. the odds ratio of house ownership of government AOR = 2.95, 95% CI:0.54-16.14, private households AOR = 4.18, 95% CI:0.79-22.16 and rented house property AOR = 1.71, 95% CI:0.32-9.18. The odds ratio of income group of lower status AOR = 2.0, 95% CI:0.91-4.98, middle income AOR = 5.7, 95% CI: 0.73-44.53 and higher income AOR = 2.8, 95% CI:0.35-23.14. The odds ratio for sorting of solid waste AOR = 1.38, 95% CI:0.56-3.40, and reusing of solid waste AOR = 7.90, 95% CI:2.12-29.42. Thus, the odds ratio of reusing solid waste was statistically significant correlated factors that limit health issues in Asella town. Therefore, the inadequate solid waste management practice was a query for environmental and health impacts in Asella town. The principles of reusing, reducing, and recovering solid waste management practice must be supported by professional interventions and government policy.