CONTRIBUTION TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF MEANS, METHODS, AND TECHNIQUES FOR COMBATING SANITARY CONDITIONS IN THE CITY OF KISANGANI: A STUDY CONDUCTED IN THE TSHOPO DISTRICT

Introduction: The issue of unsanitary conditions is becoming increasingly prominent among current urban environmental challenges. Household waste management is complex, and its impact on the environment is far from negligible. This study aims to determine the factors contributing to unsanitary conditions in the city of Kisangani, identify the methods households use to combat unsanitary conditions, and demonstrate methods and techniques for addressing unsanitary conditions.
Methods: We adopted a descriptive cross-sectional approach to conduct this study in the Tshopo Commune from January 15 to March 31, 2026. Through structured face-to-face interviews, we collected data from 95 households. The chi-square test allowed us to identify significant differences between variables at the 0.05 significance level.
Results: Most of the study participants (49.5%) believed that unsanitary conditions are characterized by the presence of trash on the streets and puddles of water on public roads (32.6%); the difference is statistically significant (p=0.000). Furthermore, ignorance regarding waste management, tied with a lack of public awareness (32.6%), and the absence of public trash cans (27.4%) are the main factors associated with unsanitary conditions (p=0.000). The installation of public trash bins (80.0%) is the ideal means of combating unsanitary conditions in the municipality of Tshopo, with a significant difference (p=0.000). Disposing of waste in public trash bins was the most frequently cited method of waste disposal, at 51.6% (p=0.000).
Conclusion: The absence of public trash bins in municipalities and the lack of adequate measures to combat unsanitary conditions contribute to the accumulation of waste in the city. It is therefore imperative to implement hygiene and sanitation education programs to promote health and reduce health risks to the population.