Tenth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

South Africa has an unequitable distribution of resources resulting in many health challenges faced by people from lower socio-economic strata. Adverse environmental conditions often play a role in these health challenges. It is important for students to recognize these so that advances can be made in health and equity. Against this backdrop, undergraduate Health Science students registered for a Public Health module were required to investigate local environments for factors responsible for causing communicable diseases. Students, who worked in groups, were required to photograph environments depicting conditions conducive to disease. Possible solutions were required. Majority of the photographs represented the social and structural determinants of health, with a focus on informal housing settlements. Photographs highlighted insufficient protection from adverse weather conditions, with subsequent risk of infections particularly of the respiratory tract. The close proximity of homes prompted easy spread of communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis and pneumonia. Lack of piped water and sanitation was highlighted by showing people collecting water from streams. Resultant diseases included bilharzia, amoebiasis and cholera. Concern about pollution in the area was also raised. Downstream movement of waste would also adversely affect other environments and communities. Students could not identify immediate solutions to the adverse housing conditions. This could be due to the acceptance or normalization of these conditions among people from low socio-economic backgrounds. They did, however indicate that local municipalities could improve services such as provision of piped water, sanitation and refuse removal. Interventions on recycling of waste were also noted.