1.4  Human interaction with the environment

1.4.1  Urbanisation and industrialisation

Urbanisation and industrialisation bring rural people into urban centres that may not be ready to handle the additional sanitary needs. Ethiopia is at the stage of rapid development with priorities in agriculture and industry. Currently small-scale industries that bridge agriculture and industrialisation are booming. Large-scale industries, such as textiles, food and cement, are growing. The need to improve and expand social infrastructures such as water supply, waste management and health services is obvious in order to handle the needs of the growing urban centres. As a healthworker you need to understand that these developments have environmental health risks due to overcrowding, inappropriate waste management and a shortage of safe drinking water.