Assessment of Sanitation Facilities and Hygiene Practices in Public Markets in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Public markets serve as important economic and social hubs in Nigerian cities, yet their sanitation conditions often pose significant public health risks. This descriptive study assessed the sanitation facilities and hygiene practices in five major public markets in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, South South Nigeria. Data collection involved structured observation checklists applied to sanitation facilities, alongside questionnaire-based interviews with 310 market traders and service workers. Toilet-to-user ratios, handwashing facility availability, waste collection frequency, and drainage conditions were evaluated. Results revealed a critical toilet-to-user ratio of 1:189, far exceeding the recommended 1:25 standard for public places. Functional handwashing stations with soap and water were absent in eighty-three percent of assessed market sections. Drainage systems were blocked or non-functional in sixty-one percent of market zones, contributing to persistent waterlogging and potential contamination of food display areas. Solid waste was collected only twice per week in most markets, leading to overflow accumulation between collection intervals. Seventy-seven percent of traders reported having no access to formal hygiene training. The study concludes that market sanitation in Port Harcourt falls critically below acceptable environmental health standards. Recommendations include urgent infrastructure rehabilitation, appointment of dedicated market environmental health officers, and mandatory sanitation orientation for traders. Keywords: sanitation, hygiene, public markets, Port Harcourt, environmental health.