Research Article
Sustainable Management of the Drinking Water Supply Service in the Abiergue Watershed (Yaoundé, Cameroon)
Salomine Djimani*
,
Barthelemy Ndongo
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
50-61
Received:
3 July 2025
Accepted:
18 July 2025
Published:
25 July 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.sr.20251304.11
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Abstract: The performance of drinking water supply service (DWSS) is a major concern for urban management policies in sub-Saharan Africa. Since the 2005s, the management of urban and peri-urban drinking water supply service in Cameroon has been gradually entrusted to the Cameroon Water Utilities Corporation (CAMWATER), which is responsible for planning, investment, and technical oversight of the distribution network. CAMWATER faces significant challenges in meeting its service delivery objectives. This study aims to assess the performance of the public drinking water supply service provided by the Yaoundé Agglomeration Regional Directorate (YARD) of CAMWATER within the Abiergue watershed. The research is based on a methodology combining field surveys, interviews with local stakeholders, and the application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to weight performance indicators. The performance evaluation of the drinking water service provided by CAMWATER in the Abiergue watershed was conducted along two complementary dimensions: qualitative performance and quantitative performance. The qualitative performance aimed to provide subscribers with better-quality service. It was assessed using two criteria based on a set of twelve indicators. These include, on the one hand, the physicochemical quality of the distributed water measured by Potential of Hydrogen (PH), turbidity, iron, manganese, color, and residual chlorine and, on the other hand, the bacteriological quality, assessed through the presence of Escherichia coli, coliform bacteria, intestinal enterococci, sulfate-reducing anaerobic bacteria, and revivable microorganisms at 22°C and 37°C. As for the quantitative performance, its goal was to ensure that subscribers receive an adequate quantity of water. This was evaluated using a single criterion composed of three indicators: daily service duration, frequency of unplanned water outages, and average daily per capita water allocation. The results reveal a satisfactory performance in terms of water quality (95%) but highlight significant weaknesses in quantitative supply (68%). The study recommends the following actions: strengthening local governance of water services by involving municipalities and users in planning and monitoring processes; implementing a proactive maintenance strategy targeting areas prone to losses and service disruptions; promoting more equitable service distribution, especially in often-marginalized peri-urban neighborhoods; and conducting regular performance evaluations using context-specific indicators and periodic audits.
Abstract: The performance of drinking water supply service (DWSS) is a major concern for urban management policies in sub-Saharan Africa. Since the 2005s, the management of urban and peri-urban drinking water supply service in Cameroon has been gradually entrusted to the Cameroon Water Utilities Corporation (CAMWATER), which is responsible for planning, inve...
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Research Article
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Community-Based One Health Programs in Rabies Prevention and Control
Kinfe Kibebew*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
62-77
Received:
19 June 2025
Accepted:
3 July 2025
Published:
28 July 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.sr.20251304.12
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Abstract: A rigorous mixed-methods case study design was employed, integrating quantitative household surveys and health records with qualitative interviews and focus group discussions, to evaluate the effectiveness of selected One Health initiatives implemented between February and May 2025. This comprehensive assessment critically examined the efficacy of community-based One Health interventions aimed at rabies prevention and control across four urban centers in Ethiopia: Shashemene, Hawassa, Kuyera, and Wondo Genet. Utilizing a stratified sample of 384 respondents, data collection encompassed both quantitative and qualitative dimensions to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to rabies. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were applied to analyze quantitative findings, while thematic analysis was employed to interpret qualitative data. The findings revealed a high level of rabies awareness (93.8%) and strong belief in its preventability (83.3%), predominantly attributed to timely vaccination. Participation in One Health programs was significantly associated with increased vaccination coverage, improved health-seeking behaviors, and strengthened disease surveillance and reporting systems. Nonetheless, persistent knowledge gaps were identified in rural populations, where traditional healing practices and prevalent misconceptions regarding transmission pathways continued to impede effective prevention efforts. Educational attainment was found to be a strong determinant of rabies awareness; individuals with secondary education or higher exhibited markedly greater odds of possessing accurate knowledge, as confirmed by regression analysis. Programs in Shashemene and Hawassa emerged as particularly impactful, demonstrating enhanced intersectoral coordination, robust community engagement, and effective monitoring mechanisms. The study concludes that the One Health paradigm when operationalized with cultural competence, institutional integration, and ongoing evaluation offers considerable potential for rabies elimination. It recommends that policymakers institutionalize One Health frameworks, invest in infrastructure development, and intensify community-based educational initiatives, especially in marginalized settings, to reduce rabies transmission risks and promote resilient public health systems.
Abstract: A rigorous mixed-methods case study design was employed, integrating quantitative household surveys and health records with qualitative interviews and focus group discussions, to evaluate the effectiveness of selected One Health initiatives implemented between February and May 2025. This comprehensive assessment critically examined the efficacy of ...
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