Impacts Environnementaux et Socioéconomiques des Déchets de Couches pour Bébé dans la Commune de Mokolo (Extrême-Nord Cameroun). La Pratique Prédominante des Couches Lavables

Mokolo, a municipality located in the Far North Region of Cameroon, faces environmental and socioeconomic challenges related to the management of waste from infant diapers. This article examines the impact of current management methods for reusable and disposable diapers on the environment. The mixed-method approach relied on a stratified random sampling, during which quantitative data was collected from 150 households across 10 areas (urban (4), peri-urban (3), and rural (3)), with five (5) households surveyed based on social criteria (wealthy, middle-income, and poor). Interviews with 20 local stakeholders provided qualitative data. The majority of respondents are women (85%) and young, with 40% using only reusable diapers, 28% opting for disposable diapers, and 31% combining both. The use of reusable diapers reduces environmental impact by over 85% and leads to lower monthly costs (5,000 FCFA compared to 20,000 FCFA for disposables). However, they require more water and energy, and 80% of disposable diaper users find them more convenient. Although representing a minority share, disposable diapers pose a pollution issue for soil and water, accounting for 87% of waste. Despite these challenges, reusable diapers are gaining popularity among households, perceived as a sustainable, hygienic, and cost-effective alternative.