Assessing the effect of pollution from cement factories to the livelihood of the neighboring communities: a case study of Osukuru Subcounty, Tororo district.

Abstract

Literature illustrates that there is often a number of negative effects experienced by communities that live around factories, in this case cement factories. These effects range from health complications, nuisance to even environmental degradation that affects productivity of soil. This is as a result of pollution in terms of air, noise, water, soil from the materials generated or used by the factories. The main objective was to assess the effect of cement factories to the livelihood of the neighbouring communities. The study utilized a mixed methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and observation checklist. A total of 73 respondents including local residents of Osukuru Town council and the local leaders using convenience and purpose sampling respectively. Quantitative data obtained from the respondents was analysed using SPSS Version20 while qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The data was then presented in charts and tables. The study found a significant association between pollution on impact on the environment. On the other hand, there was no significant association between pollution and health issues reported by respondents. Duration stay in the study area also had no significant association with health issues. The findings of these study seem to deviate from what is shown in literature especially on health conditions developed by people in communities neighbouring factories. There is need for future research to be conducted longitudinally and tests be conducted for people around the industries to establish if exposure is related to the health conditions reported. The study however agrees with the impact of the factory on the environment which is in line with known literature. vii