Assessing the Role of Communication in Environmental Sanitation Management in Developing Countries

Abstract

Developing countries are bedevilled with a myriad of social, economic, political, and development challenges. One of such challenges is the issue of sanitation, and the management of environmental sanitation. In order to curb this phenomenon, there is the need for an integrative approach by governments, non-state institutions, as well as individuals concerned with environmental sanitation. But, communication is pivotal in all such processes in dealing with environmental sanitation management in these developing countries. This qualitative study therefore, examined the role communication in, environmental sanitation management. It became evident from the findings of this study that, in developing countries, environmental sanitation management remains a phenomenal challenge for most governments. This situation is attributed to a number of human social, cultural, political and economic behavioural actions, inadequate financial resource and investment, and lack of infrastructure and human capital to deal with the sanitation menace in these developing countries. This situation, comes with its implications in varied forms, which consequently affect the plights of people living in these regions and retards development. With this revelations, there is the need for developing countries to marshal out integrated approaches, mostly, community centred, with communication as a pivotal element in solving the canker bedevilling developing countries in environmental sanitation management for sustainable development.