Environmental Pollution and Health Vulnerability in the Municipality of Natitingou in Northwest Benin: Analysis of Hygiene and Sanitation Practices in the Context of Climate Change

SANGA PEMA Tébouwa Gislaine^1, , KADJEGBIN Toundé Roméo Gislain² and KIARI FOUGOU Hadiza³

¹FLASH Multidisciplinary Doctoral School, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin

²Urban and Regional Dynamics Research Laboratory at the University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin

³University of Diffa in Niger

Cite this paper:
SANGA PEMA Tébouwa Gislaine, KADJEGBIN Toundé Roméo Gislain and KIARI FOUGOU Hadiza. Environmental Pollution and Health Vulnerability in the Municipality of Natitingou in Northwest Benin: Analysis of Hygiene and Sanitation Practices in the Context of Climate Change. Journal of Environment Pollution and Human Health. 2025; 13(3):50-60. doi: 10.12691/jephh-13-3-3

Abstract

Poor hygiene raises concerns about soil and groundwater contamination in the municipality of Natitingou. Climate change is exacerbating challenges related to pollution and public health. This research explores environmental pollution and health vulnerability related to hygiene and sanitation practices in the municipality of Natitingou. Economic and health data have been analyzed with appropriate statistical tools (index and ratio). In addition, 271 people have been surveyed. SPSS 17.0 and ArcGIS 10.3 software have been used to process the data. The results show that illegal dumpsites are widespread throughout all districts of the municipality of Natitingou. Dumpsites are most prevalent in the districts of Kotapounga, Perma, and Natitingou 3. The DAL rate is very high in Kotapounga (65%), Tchoumi-Tchoumi (64%), Kouaba (63%), Kouandata (60%), and Perma (60%). Increasingly frequent flooding overwhelms sanitation systems (latrines, septic tanks), scattering pathogens and pollutants into the environment. This heightens people’s vulnerability to disease. Poorly managed waste and stagnant water favors mosquito breeding and other vectors of climate-sensitive diseases, such as ARIs and diarrheal diseases. In fact, low acute respiratory illnesses in the municipality of Natitingou have risen from 7,856 in 2003 to 9,156 in 2024, with a peak of 11,564 in 2006.

Keywords:
Municipality of Natitingou environmental pollution hygiene and sanitation

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