ASSESSING CONSEQUENCES OF INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS ON THE HEALTH OF RESIDENTS IN HAWASSA CITY ADMINISTRATION, SIDAMA, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The study investigated the health consequences of informal settlements in Hawassa City Administration, Ethiopia, addressing the pressing challenge of rapid urbanization and its implications on public health. The overall objective was to assess the status of informal settlements and their effects on residents' health, mainly focusing on environmental health conditions and access to essential services. A descriptive cross-sectional design using mixed methods was used to conduct the study. The quantitative data was collected from 380 randomly selected households through a structured questionnaire. The qualitative data was collected using focus group discussions with residents and key informant interviews with health officials and other government officials. A descriptive analysis was conducted for quantitative data, and thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. The findings revealed significant health challenges linked to poor infrastructure and environmental conditions. While homeownership was high (89.2%), most houses were constructed with vulnerable materials (73.9% wood with mud walls). Although 69.5% had piped water access, irregular supply and low treatment, rates (78.4% did not treat water) created health risks. Shared sanitation facilities were common (67.6%), predominantly using pit latrines (47.1% with slabs). Diarrheal diseases were most prevalent (35.5%), particularly affecting children under five (65.8% of cases), followed by respiratory diseases (24.7%). Despite 56.1% living within 30 minutes of health facilities, economic barriers limited healthcare utilization. The study concluded that while high home ownership provides security, poor construction materials, unreliable water supply, and inadequate sanitation create significant health vulnerabilities, particularly for children. Recommendations include implementing a comprehensive settlement upgrading strategy focusing on infrastructure improvement, strengthening community health programs, enhancing swater supply reliability, establishing community-led health initiatives, and developing financing mechanisms for housing improvements. These findings contribute to understanding the complex relationship between informal settlements and public health, suggesting the need for integrated interventions that address infrastructure and social health determinants