Community awareness of the sources and impact of pollutants with emphasis on endocrine disruptors in Lake Victoria: the case of Jinja in Uganda
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Date
2014-06
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Abstract
Despite its potential, Lake Victoria faces many challenges, including
pollution. This study was conducted within Jinja District in, Uganda to
establish the sources of pollutant; in particular, those likely to contain
endocrine disruptors and their impact on fish productivity. Qualitative data
were collected using focus group discussions, case stories, key info. rmants
interviews and observations. The collected data were analysed using the
inductive thematic analysis method. The findings reveal that pollutants that
find access into the lake have the potential to disrupt the endocrine systems
of organisms in the study area. However, awareness of the pollutants
among community members was low. Human, animal, industrial,
agricultural, hospital and domestic waste were the main sources of
pollutants likely to contain endocrine disruptors. These pollutants were
handled poorly and most of them were disposed into the lake without
treatment. This calls for efforts to conduct education and extension
programmes for awareness creation and for extending information to the
community regarding sources and impacts of these pollutants. Such
initiatives will enhance the awareness of local people such that they will be
more alert when handling such pollutants in order to improve fish health
which will in turn enhance the productivity offish in Lake Victoria.
Description
Journal of Continuing Education and Extension, 2014; 5(1): 584-597
Keywords
Awareness, pollutants, Endocrine disruptors, Lake Victoria