Housing Conditions and their Health Impacts on the Residents of Abakaliki Metropolis of Ebonyi State, Nigeria
*1Hyacinth O. Eze; 2CelineChukwunweme & 3Cornelius U. Ozuomba
ABSTRACT
This study is aimed at assessing housing conditions and their health impacts on the residents of Abakaliki Metropolis of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. It has the objectives of examining the prevailing environmental and housing conditions in the study area; appraising the perception of residents about their housing and environmental sanitation; and exploring their health impacts and possible actions that can be taken towards sustainable environmental, housing, sanitation and healthy living in the area. The research adopted a survey research design which helped in elucidating vital information from the respondents on the effects of housing conditions in the selected area of study. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were adopted and a total number of 387 respondents were fit for the study. Structured questionnaire instrument, interview and personal observation facilitated in the gathering of information. Collated data were presented and analyzed using tables, percentages, and means; while the hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square in determining the relationship between housing condition and the health of the residents. Major findings from the study revealed that majority of buildings in the study area were rented tenement buildings with over 40 years of age. There were cases of broken floor, broken doors and windows, leaking roof, poor electricity and water supply, cracked wall and indiscriminate waste disposal constituted the housing and environmental problems. Available health issues’ responses include skin disease, malaria fever, typhoid fever, diarrhea, cholera, depression and anxiety and genitourinary tract infection as the prevalent health challenges faced in the study area. The respondents were satisfied with the refuse collection and disposal method; but were dissatisfied with the toilet location, very dissatisfied with the drainage and sanitation conduct in the area. Based on the six identified significant measures for improving housing conditions in the study area, relevant recommendations were made for implementing development plans and planning schemes.
Keywords: Housing, Environment, Waste, Sanitation, and Health.
