SUSTAINABLE WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT AND WATERBORNE DISEASE VULNERABILITY AMONG CHILDREN UNDER FIVE IN TAHOUA, NIGER

In Tahoua, access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and effective wastewater management remains a major concern. These conditions may increase exposure to contaminated water and environments, particularly among children under five years of age, who are more susceptible to waterborne diseases. This study aimed to analyze waterborne disease morbidity among children under five years of age monitored at five Integrated Health Centers (IHCs) in Tahoua. We collected data through a survey of 360 households and a review of health records from January to August 2024. The results show that 78.33% of households dump wastewater on the street, exposing the population to serious sanitary risks. The most frequently reported diseases were malaria (41.94%) and diarrhea (36.11%), with children under five years of age accounting for 75% of reported cases. The spatiotemporal analysis revealed a concentration of malaria cases in the northern and western areas and of diarrhea cases in the southern and southwestern areas, with a morbidity peak during the rainy season (July–August). Statistical analysis confirmed a significant variation in malaria cases among months (p = 0.025), while Pearson correlations showed strong relationships between wastewater dumping on the street and diarrhea (r = 0.829) and dysentery (r = 0.967). Principal component analysis highlighted an association between informal wastewater disposal practices and waterborne diseases, whereas the use of sumps appeared to be a protective factor. These findings underline the need to strengthen sanitation infrastructure, community awareness, and epidemiological monitoring, particularly in the most exposed areas.