Abstract
The purpose of the study was to find out the strategies for improving the solid
waste disposal practices of households in urban slums in Enugu metropolis.
Specifically, the study identified facilities used in waste disposal by the
households, determined problems encountered in waste disposal and ways of
improving the waste disposal practices of households in urban slums. Research
design adopted was descriptive survey. Population for the study consisted of
households in urban slums. Multi- Stage sampling technique was used to select
300 residents. Sampling occurred in three (3) stages. Convenience sampling
technique was used to select three (3) slum areas in Enugu urban metropolis of
Enugu State. Simple random sampling technique was used to select fifty (50)
households from each of the selected slums. A total of three hundred (300)
residents of the slums, one hundred (100) residents from each of the three (3)
slum areas were the respondents for the study. The target sample was selected
using convenience sampling technique based on accessibility and willingness
of the residents to participate in the study. The instrument used for data
collection was a questionnaire designed by the researchers. Mean and standard
deviation were the techniques that were employed for the analysis of the data
collected. Findings show eight (8) facilities used by slum households in
disposal of waste, eighteen (18) problems slum households encounter in waste
disposal and twenty – two (22) ways of improving the waste disposal practices
of slum households. Based on the research findings, some recommendations
were made for improving the sanitary conditions of residents in urban slums.