PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH POOR

HOUSING A CASE STUDY OF MALUMFASHI LOCAL

GOVERNMENT AREA, KATSINA STATE

BY

ABIDA BASHIR
19/EVKK/013

A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES, COLLEGE OF HEALTH

TECHNOLOGY KANKIA IRO, KATSINA STATE

BEING A PARTIAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

SCIENCE, BY WEST AFRICAN HEALTH EXAMINATION BOARD

(WAHEB)

NOVEMBER, 2020
 DECLARATION

I hereby declared that, this research project is a product of my personal

research and no part of it has been produced or presented for the award of

High National Diploma (HND), National Diploma (ND) or Diploma in this

school or any other institution.

__________________________ _______________
Abida Bashir Date:
19/EVKK/013

ii
 APPROVAL PAGE

This research project entitled “Public Health Problems Associated with Poor
Housing” A case study of Malumfashi Local Government Area, Katsina
State” meets the regulations governing the award of Diploma in
Environmental Health, Kankia Iro School of Health Technology.

_______________________ __________________ ______________

Supervisor Signature Date

_______________________ __________________ ______________

Head of Department Signature Date

_______________________ __________________ ______________

External Examiner Signature Date

iii
 DEDICATION

This work is dedicated to my beloved parents Alhaji Bashir Sani Gwamma

Malumfashi and Hajiya Sa’adiyya Lawal Namaradi, for their kindness, love

and encouragement during the course of my training, may Almighty Allah

bless and guide them all (Amin).

I also dedicate this work to my husband Alhaji Naseer Abdullahi Akawu and

my brothers, Yaya Zaharaddin, Yaya Abbas, and sisters Safiyya, Hafsat,

Zainab, and Khalija for their tireless love, encouragement and financial

support during the course of my training may almighty Allah reward their

efforts.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

All praises are to Allah (SWT) and blessings to prophet Muhammad (SAW)

peace be upon him; his family and his companions. All glory and adoration

be ascribed to Almighty Allah who has made it possible for me to complete

my diploma in Environmental Health. I am forever grateful to you Ya Allah.

My deep appreciation goes to the one who give me the background for my

academic excellence, Alhaji Sani Gwamma Malumfashi my father; I am

forever grateful. I am indebted to the world’s greatest mummy, Hajiya

Sa’adiyya Lawal Namaradi; my mother, your love, concern and care means

a lot to me.

I am grateful to my Supervisor Malam Bishir Muhammad Malumfashi who

has painstakingly taken time to guide me throughout the work. Your

judicious and unprejudiced advice, assistance, suggestion and guidance

toward the completion of this work contribute immensely to its quality and

value, thank you so much for your patience.

Special thanks goes to my dear humble husband Alhaji Naseer Abdullahi

Akawa Malumfashi for his prayers, support advice, encouragement,

cooperation and deep concern, throughout the period of my study; may

Almighty Allah reward him abundantly (Amin).

v
I will like to express my gratitude to my lovely children Ahmad,

Muhammad, Mahmud, Abdullah and Fatima (Zarah), for their prayers,

cooperation, tireless support and deep concern throughout my period of

study. May the Almighty Allah bless them and reward them (Ameen).

Also I wish to thank my lovely brothers and sisters who contributed towards
the completion of this work especially Yaya Zaharaddini, Yaya Abbas,
Safiyya, Hafsat, Zainab, Khadija, Aunty Nafeesa, Murtala Abdullahi Akawu
and the rest for their prayers, support and encouragement towards making
my dream come true, may Allah continue to protect and sustain the love that
existed between us as sisters and brothers.

My special thanks goes to my Level Coordinator, Head of Department and

all my Lecturers who have in one way or the other impacted knowledge on
me in the course of my study, I am forever grateful.

I will not forget to mention my colleagues whom we share our views

throughout of stay (members of Environmental Health Department 300L),
like my best friend Aisha Magaji, Lubabatu Mamman, Maryam Muhammad
Binta Yusuf, Hadiza Musa (Mashasha), Hafsat Lawal (Lada), Maryam Bala,
Zainab Salisu, Hafsat Sani, Aisha Ammani, and Abdul, Hamza, Yahya,
Usman Kabir (Captain) Hauwa’u Sani.

My sincere gratitude also goes to Late Alhaji Abdullahi Akawu and his

family, and Hajiya Rukayya Yusuf Mahuta (Gwaggo Gambo) and her family

for their advice, concern and care, I am forever grateful.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover Page i

Declaration ii

Approval Page iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Table of Content vii

Abstract ix

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 General Introduction 1

1.2 Objectives of the Study 4

1.3 Historical Background of the Study Area 4

1.4 Scope and Limitation of the Study 6

1.5 Statement of the Problem 7

1.6 Significance of the Study 9

1.7 Research Questions 9

1.8 Research Hypothesis 10

1.9 Operational Definition of Terms 11

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Literature Review 12

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 CHAPTER THREE

3.1 Research Design 24

3.2 Sample and Sampling Techniques 24

3.3 Instrument for Data Collection 24

3.4 Validity and Reliability of the Instrument 25

3.5 Administration of the Instrument 25

3.6 Techniques for Data Analysis 26

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Data Analysis and Data Presentation 27

4.2 Test of Hypothesis and Analysis of Result 44

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Recommendations 51

5.2 Summary and Conclusion 54

5.3 List of Abbreviation 56

5.4 Bibliography 57

5.5 Appendix 58

5.6 Questionnaire 71

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 ABSTRACT

This piece of project research is based on public health problems associated

with poor housing; it was aimed to find out the possible control and
preventive measures and to health educate the general public on the
dangers associated with poor housing. All the view in this document
represents those of the author responsibilities for the accuracy of
information (data) quoted is that of the authors alone nor for the institution.

ix
 CHAPTER ONE

1.1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Public health problems associated with poor housing are rampant especially

in tropical countries, where low standard of environmental sanitation,

personal hygiene rural town planning, simple and effective method of refuse

excreta disposal, lack of adequate water supply is common, they caused

numerous morbidity and mortality cases, some are recorded or reflected

completely.

Therefore, the provision of good housing is considered to be one of the most

basic essential requirements of life. This contributes in no small measures to

the wellbeing of man, as the major parts of human life is spent at home, it

becomes important that houses should be built in such a way to aid the

mental, physical and social wellbeing of human beings.

Poor housing makes individuals more liable to disease or to the effects of

illness, there are more infectious diseases present in children who develop

the usual childhood complaints, and have a higher incidence of

complications overcrowding which is present in such as pulmonary

tuberculosis, CSM etc. also dampness of many houses caused by defective

roofs or by rising dampness percolating upwards from the ground or by

1
condensation leads to various hermetic problems, a higher child mortality

and increase in chest conflation such as acute born chiantis.

Poor housing can be a contributory case of mental illness and also make

rehabilitation from hospital very difficult, moreover, poor housing contribute

to suffering effect on the proper development of family, diseases are spread

like bush fire in our communities as a result of poor housing, poor waste

disposal, mynads of flies, over crowdiness and insufficient water meant for

human consumption and as well as unavailable sanitary facilities in most

houses.

1.1.1 Jellifec, DB (1984) “unsanitary coalition of houses is responsible for

most diseases related to household insect, this is mainly due to poor housing,

ignorance and poverty of people, where there is poor town planning low

level of residential premises, poor drainages system, and where high

morbidity and mortality rate are sustained by illiteracy of people towards the

importance of house to human health. The progress of sanitation and shelter

throughout the world has long been appreciated as a milestone to advance

public health, it’s apparent that due to poor housing promotion and fasting of

diseases are obvious. Good housing is the promising avenge to public health

and disable asset to community to meet their health needs.

2
In conclusion, a very important ingredient of a successful safe housing in

information gathering about diseases that are associated with poor housing

to assists policy makers’ regulation and enforcement of personnel’s to carry

out their duties more effectively. And unless and until problems of diseases

associated with poor housing are given a serious attention it deserves both

from the government and non-governmental organizations and public at

large, those public health problems associated with poor housing will

continue to spread even beyond the area of study.

1.2 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE AREA OF STUDY

HISTORY OF MALUMFASHI

The area of study is Malumfashi metropolis, Malumafahi Local Government

Area it is located at the southern part of Katsina State in the northern part of

the country, and the local government was created in 1976 when it was

under Kaduna State. It is boarded to the east by Karaye and Rogo Local

Governments, to the west by Kankara and Bakori Local Governments, to the

north by Musawa and Matazu Local Governments respectively. The local

government consists of about 180.920 inhabitants of the last census

conducted.

3
TRIBE: The inhabitants of Malumfashi Local Government are mostly

Hausa/Fulani, the main native language used are Hausa and Fulani although

other languages like English, Igbo, Yoruba are spoken by the people who

come to the town for business or for other government assignment or duties,

Islam and Christianity are the commonest regions among its habitants.

EDUCATION: Educationally, Malumfashi Local Government comprises of

primary schools, secondary schools, of which are private and government. It

also consist of nursery and tertiary institutions through only four tertiary

institution.

OCCUPATION: the people of Malumfashi Local Government mostly

engage in farming, some are good in business while some are civil servants,

their women rarely engage in these activities rather they are full-term house

wives.

HEALTH SECTOR: Malumfashi Local Government consist of general

hospital, maternal and child hospital, primary health care Malumfashi and

other private clinics such as Dr. Fulana, Dr. Bala, Dr. Ayinla, Dr. Abdulaziz

etc. and other small health centres found in each political ward.

Community network/social amenities: the local government is equipped with

some social amenities such as road, supply and good source of water, a good

4
market, good network system, e.g. GLO, MTN, ZAIN, and Etisalat for easy

communication and equipped hospital.

WEATHER: This varies according to season. The harmattan season present

from the month of October to February and it’s usually very cold at this

period of time. As from may it signed for the period usually experiences a

heavy rainfall, throughout the season which is good enough for their farming

system.

MAJOR CROPS: Cotton, rice, groundnut, beans, guinea corn, millet and

soya beans are the major crops Malumfashi Local Government.

1.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Public health problems associated with poor housing in Malunfashi Local

Government Area has become possible due to the following problems. One

of the most important problems is the geographical location and climatic

condition of the area of the study, another obstacle is lack of poor

environmental sanitation, this is in very poor state, it is often very sickening

to observe decent houses being surrounded with filth, because of waste

water from the houses that are discharged into open gutters which are often

blocked with refuse.

5
Another problem worth noticing is scarcity of skilled personnel’s, the works

hoping of many houses are poor, with very poor supervision which

rehabilitee of imported building materials are very expensive not all can

afford to buy them, and they are not readily available.

Population growth if many houses makes it impossible to provide social

amenities like, water latrine and other facilities impossible due to the

population growth, this increase the chance of many houses to become slums

and make those houses unfit of or human habitation.

Poverty which is a great problem is contributing to public health problems

associated with poor housing; people use whatever is readily available

building materials in the construction of their houses, and this poor

economic status put such people to live in dilapidated houses without

sanitary facilities lastly, there is poor town planning within the area of study,

most houses are often build without considering the public in airborne

disease and improve the chance of outbreak of diseases associated with poor

housing in the area of study.

6
1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

This project research is focused on the public health problems associated

with poor housing, it effect to human health and it’s important to human

health.

In the first place, the research is supposed to cover a large area beyond

Malunfashi Local Government, but due to financial constraints, which affect

the transportation from one place to another to acquire all the necessary data

for the successful implementation of the project, the research has to be

limited to Malunfashi town and districts respectively to serve as case study.

Secondly, is the unavailability of time which affects the researcher greatly in

expanding the study beyond Malunfashi Local Government Area, however,

despite the above stated problems and others, the research was successfully

derived in the process concerning the topic under discussion was clearly put

into writing and comes up with this project.

7
1.5 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. To find out the various public health problems associated with poor

housing to human health.

2. To find out the possible causes of poor housing in the area of study.

3. To find out the prevalence of these health diseases and their effects

to human health.

4. To find out the possible control and preventive measures of poor

housing and diseases associated with poor housing in the area of

study.

5. To health educate the community members on the importance of

good housing to human health.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The most important issue in designing any project is to serve as an identifier

of a particular problem, therefore, this project after successfully completed it

would help government, and non-governmental organization and public at

large interested in diseases and related public health problems associated

with poor housing.

Also, this project would assist any management students or any individual

who wish to conduct a research which is broader and wider in scope than

8
this one and used it on having an insight on public health problems

associated with poor housing.

1.7 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. Does ignorance and poverty of people towards housing have a

significant role to play towards public health problems and diseases

associated with poor housing?

2. Does poor town planning and community hygiene contribute to the

spread of these public problems and diseases associated with poor

housing?

3. Does inadequate supervision and negligence of duty by some health

personnel’s increase the chance of acquiring those problems

associated with poor housing?

4. Does lack of strong legislation by government on promoting housing

policy contribute to public health problems associated with poor

housing?

5. Does lack of good and enough sanitation facilities have a significant

role towards public health problems associated with poor housing?

9
1.8 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

1. That ignorance and poverty of people towards housing have a

significant role to play towards public health problems and diseases

associated with poor housing.

2. That poor town planning and community hygiene can contribute to the

spread of these public problems and diseases associated with poor

housing.

3. Inadequate supervision and negligence of duty by some health

personnel’s can contribute to diseases and related public health

problems associated with poor housing.

4. Lack of legislation by government on promoting housing policy can

contribute to public health problems associated with poor housing.

5. Environmental sanitation facilities have a significant role to play

towards public health problems associated with poor housing.

10
1.9 OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS

1. Environment: Man’s distance surrounding e.g. air, water, rock.

2. House: Physical structure man use as shelter.

3. Housing: Act of living in a shelter.

4. Hygiene: Acts of keeping good health and preventing the spread of

diseases.

5. Health: Complete state of physical, mental and social wellbeing or an

individual and not merely the absence of diseases or community.

6. Sanitation: Acts of protecting public health and promotion of long life

expectancy.

7. Vector: Agent of transmitting diseases e.g. insects.

8. Waste: Useless, unwanted or no longer useful to its original purpose.

9. Sewage: Water carried or used water discharged by the community.

11
 CHAPTER TWO

2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW

This chapter is mainly concern with the writings and sayings of some

specific textbooks, experts, authors in line with the topic under discussions,

so as to emphasize the project work.

The effect on public health association with poor housing in Malumfashi

Local Government, Katsina State are common due to poor town planning,

poor waste disposal, poverty, ignorance and lack of community hygiene. It’s

well known facts that poor housing due to poor town planning has direct or

indirect effects to its occupants, houses that are badly sited, poorly

constructed, deficient in facilities and uncared for are found to be ill-

ventilated and overcrowded those conditions contributes immensely towards

public health problems associate with poor housing which serve as the topic

under discussion.

2.1.1 According to Marx, C. et-al (1980), he stressed out that “It is difficult

to distinguish between the effects of poor housing and those of poverty,

overcrowding, poor management and other public health problems which so

often accompany it”.

12
The physical health as well as the mental wellbeing of the occupants of poor

accommodation many suffer in a number of ways, where there is

overcrowding, there is a special risk of spreading pulmonary tuberculosis

which effects the respiratory tract. Dirt surroundings undoubtedly lower

resistance to the onset colds and others infections such as sore throats which

may precede hermetic conditions especially among children and old age”.

Therefore, from the above statement it is clear that very one needs a well-

planned and well-constructed houses in which he can live and bring up his

family in safety, with portable water supply and facilities for disposing of

refuse, adequate lighting and ventilation system, proper latrine system etc. a

house is more than just the home in which one lives. It is a place in which

people belong where their affections centre and where they found refuge and

satisfaction, the family units is found in the houses and this unit should form

the basis of a sound society, where public health problems associated with

poor housing no longer exist or reduce to a minimal level.

Poor waste collection and disposal facilities in the house contribute towards

public health problems that are associated with poor housing, flies are

constant menace to public health, they bread alarmingly quickly in refuse

and other decaying matter carry filth and micro-organizations and spread

13
diseases e.g. diarrhea and dysentery, enteric fever and in some communities

cholera.

2.1.2 Huntley, L.W. et-al (1987), “poor waste collection and disposal in

residential premises provide an opportunity for rats and insects and are hosts

of serious diseases and this contribute significance threat to health, in other

worlds, diseases like malaria, cholera, diarrhea, typhoid, fever, helminthes

will also invade the people found living in slums building especially

children under five (5) suffer most”.

Therefore, it is difficult to isolate the impact of housing on health, because

many waste disposal is responsible for break of diseases and related

problems of public health, on the other hand, promotion of health depends

on the quality of house one lives there in which in turn will affects the

spread of many important diseases; cholera diarrhea, typhoid fever and

helminthes diseases in the same vein, the teeming people of Malumfashi

Local Government should understand that indiscriminate disposal of waste

in residential premises has greatly increased the outbreak of public health

diseases associated with poor housing and this primitive practice produce

dirt and it has bad effect on people who suffer from chronic respiratory

diseases causing acute attacks of illness and delaying recovery, therefore,

14
people should know that proper waste disposal will improve living condition

of our houses.

Not any poor waste disposal is great importance in the field of diseases of

public health importance associated with poor housing, still another problem

worth noticing is the dependence of people in overcrowded houses, due to

inability of people and government in construction of good houses.

2.1.3 According to Oluwande P.A. (1983), said that “when people live in

slum areas the rate of at which they have communicable diseases is about 65

percent higher that national average, also during the cholera outbreak in

Ibadan 1970/1971, the people who live in build-up slum areas reported more

than people who live in planned areas.

The study in USA also shows that tuberculosis rate is about 8 times as high

in slum areas as national average, the infant’s death rate is five times higher

juvenile diligence is 2 times higher and life expectancy is about 6.7years

shorter among slum dweller than national average, it is reported that the

frequency of fire outbreak was i.5 times more in slum areas than national

average”.

Therefore, it is very dishearten that poor housing condition can be a

contributory cause of various discourses to invade human, because these

15
diseases are still found in Malumfashi Local Government Area, due to poor

housing condition, since poor housing are often found to be ill-ventilated,

badly lighted, poor sanitary facilities and or a result of these severe health

and safety burdens are imposed to people living in this building that have

conceivable faulty condition large number of morbidity and mortality are

being recorded as a result of these public problems that are associated with

poor housing in Malumfashi Local Government, likewise, every year houses

collapse due to poor construction and maintenance.

The promotion of human health especially in urban communities require a

decent houses build on solid foundation which in turn will affect a beneficial

impact on the economy of an area, the provision of adequate shelter, water

supply, and disposal of large amount of waste that result from daily

activities in residential premises contribute an important aspect of public

health services.

2.1.4 Fream, W.C et-al (1982) “poor housing is common in urban

communities especially in developing countries due to poor environmental

hygiene, poor sources of water supply and storage facilities and sometimes

water sources are frequency contaminated from farm pollution, sewage and

waste.

16
Therefore, no matter the effort of government, NGOs in the control of these

public health problems due to housing, the chances of getting rid of these

diseases sorely depend on the improvement of housing, educating general

public on the importance of good housing to human health, while SEPA and

KASUPDA should look into the aspect of preventing these public health

problems, in the same vein houses are over-built without adequate sanitary

facilities, poor lighting and ventilation system within Malumfashi Local

Government due to poor town planning common example in regard to this is

prevalence of diseases like CSM and tuberculosis which cause so much

suffering and mortality cases.

2.1.5 Godwin, LG et-al (1979) emphasized that “the air of badly ventilated

rooms may smell unpleasantly from organic product on the skin and clothing

of unwashed people and may contain the products of combustion. Proper

ventilation ensure adequate removal of heat from human body. Virtually

poor housing condition is responsible for most diseases that are associated

with poor housing with poor housing, we should bear in mind that there is

reciprocal relationship that exist between health, shelter and diseases,

therefore, the promotion of good housing had a beneficial impact on the

health of people found there in.

17
2.1.6 Anderson, M. et-al (1978) shed more light in adequate latrine and its

facilities can be a constant threat to health, the presence of filth in residential

premises has ill effect on the food and water meant for human consumption,

these waste are normally potential source of contamination thereby resulting

in the menace of diseases can spread like bush fire in a community.

In view of the above, good health of an individual family and community at

large require decent housing, houses that are built on sound foundation and

with provision of all sanitary facilities, these will virtually reduce the

chances of mortality and morbidity as a result of public health problems due

to poor housing breast minimal level.

2.1.7 SEBIN, D.B. (1993) stated that in the past some of the most dramatic

improvement of health is brought about through adequate and proper shelter

developing countries which is classical example in the control of air borne

disease which may occur in a series of an outbreak. The 1 st hand of 19th

century many policy makers recognized the need of each individual to

contribute to the development of his immediate environment provision of all

sanitary facilities, improvement on personal and environmental hygiene with

these all diseases that are associated with poor housing will be prevented.

18
Therefore, the adverse effects of diseases associated with poor housing are

attributed to the lack of concern from public and government as a result of

the continued existence of people living in slum houses without the basic

sanitary requirements needed in our houses to enhance a better living.

2.1.8 Erust B, (1990) stressed that “many diseases found in houses or due to

poor housing habits are created by squalid living condition, in view of this,

many services shared result to living pulmonary tuberculosis, malaria etc.

will become prevalence within the community. This continue the existence

of hundred people to live in overcrowded buildings without adequate

sanitary facilities Good housing is the promising avenue to being about large

reduction of mortality and morbidity cases of people especially under age

children. He further emphasized that public health problems that are

associated with poor housing causes sporadic case, human illness as well as

outbreak of various diseases especially faeco-oral and air borne, human to

human transmission is common especially to children and elderly people,

prevention of such diseases require decent and standard premises to meet all

the sanitary facilities needed for good and better housing.

From the above statement, it’s clear that protection of human health require
a decent house it’s necessary for people to appreciate potential health
hazards associated with poor housing. Conclusively, it is clear those proper

19
houses with all the necessary sanitary facilities should be built in order to
meet a proper human habituation that will facilitate health promotion and
ensure public health problem associated with poor housing are no longer in
existence, voluntary organization interested in housing should assist in
improving the availability of sanitary houses within the area o study through
all means to ensure health living to people.

2.1.9 Jellife, D.B.C. (1960) health hazards are due to poor housing condition

and are associated with a wide range of health conditions, including

respiratory infections, asthma, lead poisoning, injuries and mental health to

address these housing issues offer public health practitioners to have an

opportunity to address on important social determinant of health. In 19th

century, health officials targeted poor sanitation overcrowding and

inadequate ventilation to reduce infectious diseases as well as fire hazard to

diseases injuries; this will improve healthy homes programmes to improve

indoor environmental quality assisting housing conditions and advocating

for health affordable housing.

Furthermore, housing is an important determinant of health and substandard

housing is a major public health issue, in United States, 13.5 million non-

fatal injuries occur in and around home, 2900 people die in house fire, and 2

million people make emergency room visit for asthma. A decent housing

with all the sanitary facilities is the road to safety living.

20
 CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN

This project research was carried out in order to find out the major public

health problems associated with poor housing as well as ways of preventing

and enlightening people on the dangers of such problems on human health.

3.2 POPULATION AND UNIVERSE OF THE STUDY

The target population of the study is about 208,978 people so as to educate

the general public on various causes of those problems and their effects on

human health also to know the various control and preventive measures.

3.3 SAMPLE AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

Two communities were selected to be the sample size of this research work

among the communities living in Malumfashi Local Government according

to their political wards they are Malumfashi A and B, the sampling

techniques adopted in the sample selection was random sampling method so

as to ensure that the people participated actively towards controlling and

preventing the occurrence of these public health problems that are associated

with poor housing.

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3.4 INSTRUMENT FOR DATA COLLECTION

The instrument used in obtaining the relevant data of this project was

questionnaire in which questions related to the topic under discussion were

asked, so that the respondents can choose from the alternative answers of

their choice, likewise various textbooks, journals were used so as to

emphasize the project work.

3.5 VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF THE INSTRUMENT

The instrument to be valid and reliable, the questionnaires designed and

prepared was thoroughly read and corrected by project supervisor who

authorized the distribution of the questionnaires.

3.6 ADMINISTRATION OF THE INSTRUMENTS

The manner through which the instrument was administered to the

appropriate people is through direct hand to hand message, so as to ensure

that the message was not disrupted.

22
 CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 DATA ANALYSIS, FINDINGS AND RESULT DISCUSSION

This chapter mainly discussed the result of the data collected from the

questionnaire, 50 questionnaires were printed and distributed to the

appropriate people to responds to the questions asked, and all the 50

questionnaires were filled correctly and returned to me.

Therefore, the analysis is based on 50 questionnaires.

TABLE 1

SEX STATUS OF THE RESPONDENTS

SEX NUMBER PERCENTAGE

Male 31 70%
Female 19 30%
TOTAL 50 100%

The above table discussed the sex distribution of the respondents 31

respondents that represent 70% of the total respondents are males, while 19

respondents are representing 30% of the respondents are females.

TABLE 2

AGE DISTRIBUTION OF THE RESPONDENTS

AGE NUMBER PERCENTAGE

18 – 25 22 42&

23
 25 – 30 18 38%
30 and above 10 20%
TOTAL 50 100%

The above table discussed the age distribution of the respondents, 22 people

are between the age of 18 – 25 and they are representing 42% of the total

respondents, and those between the age of 25 – 30 are 18 people and the

represents about 38% of the total respondents, while those range between 30

and above are 10 people and they are representing 20% of the total

respondents.

TABLE 3

MARITAL STATUS OF THE RESPONDENTS

MARITAL STATUS NUMBER PERCENTAGE

Married 13 27%
Single 37 73%
TOTAL 50 100%

From the table above, marital status of the respondents is analyzed 13

respondents that represent 27% of the total respondents are married couples,

while 37 respondents who are representing 73% of the total respondents are

single.

TABLE 4

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND OF THE RESPONDENTS

24
 EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND NUMBER PERCENTAGE
Formal 46 92%
Informal 4 8%
TOTAL 50 100%

The table above discussed the educational background of the respondents, 46

of the respondents who are representing 92% of the total respondents

believed to have acquired formal education, while 4 people who are

representing 8% of the total respondents have informal education.

TABLE 5

RELIGION OF THE RESPONDENTS

RELIGION NUMBER PERCENTAGE

Islam 49 98%
Christianity 1 2%
TOTAL 50 100%

From the above table, the religion of the respondents is discussed, 49 of the

respondents are Muslims and they are representing 98% of the total

respondents, while only 1 person believed to be a Christian and he is

representing 2% of the total respondents.

TABLE 4.1:1

Q – Do you know anything about public health problems associated

with poor housing?

25
 ANSWER NUMBER PERCENTAGE
Yes 48 92%
No 2 8%
TOTAL 50 100%

The above table discussed the views of the respondents on if they know

anything about public health problems that are associated with poor housing,

48 respondents who are representing 92% of the total respondents know

something about the question asked, while 2 people representing 8% of the

total respondents don’t know anything about the question asked.

TABLE 4.1:2

Q – If yes, through which of the following ways?

ANSWER NUMBER PERCENTAGE

Through media 17 36%
Through personal experience 17 36%
Through personal research 14 22%
Others 2 6%
TOTAL 50 100%

The above table, the respondents are asked to specify the way they know

something about public problems associated with poor housing, 17 people

representing 36% of the total respondents have the idea through media,

while another 17 respondents know something on the question asked

through personal experience and they are also representing 36% of the total

respondents while 14 respondents came to know something through personal

26
research and they are representing 22% of the total respondents and 2

respondents that are representing 6% of the total respondents have the idea

through other means.

TABLE 4.1:3

Q – In your own understanding which factor among these contributes in

the outbreak of diseases associated with poor housing?

ANSWER NUMBER PERCENTAGE

Ignorance and poverty 9 10%
Custom and traditional belief 1 2%
Poor environmental sanitation 19 46%
Poor housing planning 9 10%
Overcrowding 12 32%
TOTAL 50 100%

The table above discussed the factors that are associated with the outbreak of
diseases associated with poor housing where 9 respondents who are
representing 10% of the total respondents believe ignorance and poverty of
the people is a contributing factor, while 1 person representing 2% of the
total respondents said custom and traditional belief is the factor responsible
for the outbreak of these diseases, while 19 people that represents 46% of
the total respondents believes that poor environmental sanitation is the
responsible factor for the outbreak of these diseases, while 9 people who are
representing 10% of the total respondents have the idea that poor housing
planning is responsible for these diseases and 12 people who are
representing 32% of the total respondents said that overcrowding is the
factor which worsen the situation.

27
TABLE 4.1:4

Q – Do you believe ignorance and poverty of people have any

significance to these problems?

ANSWER NUMBER PERCENTAGE

Yes 37 74%
No 13 26%
TOTAL 50 100%

The above table discussed the views of the respondents on if ignorance and

poverty of people have significance on these diseases where, 37 respondents

who are representing 74% of the total respondents know something about

the question asked, while 13 people representing 26% of the total

respondents don’t know anything about the question asked.

TABLE 4.1:5

Q – Do you believe that poor planning and community hygiene can be a

means of acquiring these diseases?

ANSWER NUMBER PERCENTAGE

Yes 44 88%
No 6 12%
TOTAL 50 100%

From the above table, the respondents have the view on whether poor

planning and community hygiene are means of contacting these diseases, 44

respondents agreed with the question asked, while 6 people representing

12% of the total respondents do not believe with the question asked.

28
TABLE 4.1:6

Q – Who are mostly affected with these problems?

ANSWER NUMBER PERCENTAGE

Children 31 61%
Adults 13 26%
Elderly 6 12%
TOTAL 50 100%

The above table, category of people who are affected most is discussed, 31

people who are representing 62% of the total respondents said children are

mostly affected while 13 people said adult are mostly affected and they are

representing 26% of the total respondents and 6 people said elderly people

are mostly affected and they are representing 12% of the total respondents.

TABLE 4.1:7

Q – Which among these is commonly a disease due to poor housing?

ANSWER NUMBER PERCENTAGE

Cholera 27 54%
Tuberculosis 8 16%
Malaria 15 30%
TOTAL 50 100%

The table discussed the view of the respondents on the disease that is

commonly due to poor housing 27 people that represent 54% of the total

respondents said cholera is commonly a disease due to poor housing, while 8

people who are representing 16% of the total respondents said that

29
tuberculosis is mainly due to poor housing and 15 people who are

representing 30% of the total respondents said malaria is more common

disease due to poor housing.

TABLE 4.1:8

Q – Do you agree that lack of environmental sanitation facilities can

contributes to the occurrence of these diseases due to poor housing?

ANSWER NUMBER PERCENTAGE

Yes 48 96%
No 2 4%
TOTAL 50 100%

The above table discussed the views of the respondents on whether lack of

environmental sanitation facilities can contribute to the occurrence of these

diseases, 48 people from both sexes who are representing 96% of the total

population (responses) said they agree with the question asked, while 2

people representing 4% of the total respondents do not agree with the

question asked.

TABLE 4.1:9

Q – Do you agree that lack of environmental sanitation contributes to

the factors towards these public health problems associated with poor
housing?

30
 ANSWER NUMBER PERCENTAGE
Yes 47 94%
No 3 6%
TOTAL 50 100%

The above table discussed the views of the respondents on whether lack of

environmental sanitation can contribute towards these problems, 47 people

who are representing 94% of the total responses agreed with the question

asked, while 3 people representing 6% of the total respondents do not agree

with the question asked.

TABLE 4.1:10

Q – Do you agree that negligence of duty of some health personnel can

increase the chance of acquiring these diseases?

ANSWER NUMBER PERCENTAGE

Yes 48 96%
No 2 4%
TOTAL 50 100%

From the above table, the views of the respondents on if negligence of duty

o some health personnel can ban increase these diseases due to poor housing,

48 people from both sexes who are representing 96% of the total responses

agreed with question asked, while 2 people representing 4% of the total

respondents do not agree with the question asked.

TABLE 4.1:11

31
Q – Beside government effort, is there any assistance from NGOs
towards controlling these problems?

ANSWER NUMBER PERCENTAGE

Yes 48 96%
No 2 4%
TOTAL 50 100%

The above table discussed the views of the respondents if there is any

assistance from non-governmental organizations beside government effort,

48 respondents that represents 96% of the total respondents said there are

different kind of assistance from NGOs, while 2 people representing 4% of

the total respondents said there is no any assistance from NGOs.

TABLE 4.1:12

Q – If NGOs are assisting, in which of the following ways?

ANSWER NUMBER PERCENTAGE

Through public health education 21 42%
Through provision of sanitary facilities 19 38%
Through provision of drugs 8 16%
Others 2 4%
TOTAL 50 100%

The above table, the respondents are asked to specify the way NGOs are

rendering there assist, 21 people representing 42% of the total respondents

are assisting through public health education, while another 19 respondents

indicated through personal provision of sanitary facilities and they are also

representing 38% of the total respondents while 8 respondents said through

32
provision of drugs and they are representing 16% of the total respondents

and 2 respondents that are representing 4% of the total respondents indicated

through other means.

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

The entire project research was aimed at in depth analysis of the public

health problems associated with poor housing, with Malumfashi Local

Government to serve as case study area. The purpose of this study is to find

out the various causes of these problems, its effects to health, possible

control and preventive measures and to health educate the general public on

the dangers associated with these problems due to poor housing.

As we know Malumfashi Local Government Area is located in Sub-Saharan

region and it is attached by 2 heavy seasons dry and wet seasons, this

situation can lead to filthy environment where water sources can be polluted

and water is one of the basic necessity of life and is one of the requirement

of a sanitary living, virtually water plays an important role in the

transmission of epidemic diseases.

33
The insanitary condition of houses is responsible for diseases associated

with poor housing, this mainly due to ignorance of people on the importance

of proper housing on human health. Overcrowding, ill-ventilated, inadequate

refuse collection, disposal facilities increases the chances of insects’

infestation like mosquitoes, responsible for malaria disease especially

among children lower than five years.

From the information collected and analyzed, using various methods of

recommendations are made to government and general public in order to

address the problems associated with poor housing. , unless and until the

problem of diseases which are directly associated with poor housing are

given the proper attention it deserved both by government, NGOs and

community in general, public health problems that are associated with poor

housing will continue to exist in the community and spread even beyond.

5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS

In order to deal with the diseases associated with poor housing with the area

of study, the following recommendations were made to government and the

general public at large.

Government:

34
1. Government should enforce a law concerning sanitation so as to make

out environment clean and free from possible dangers.

2. Likewise, government should enforce law on proper town planning to

avoid over or under build or building on slum areas to control these

problems.

3. Good surveillance system should be developed with qualified health

personnel have to check the menace of these problems associated with

poor housing.

4. Government should ensure that houses are inspected during construction

and non-occupying the premises.

5. Non-governmental organizations should liaise with the government to

provide loan to people to construct decent houses.

6. Government should engaged on mass health education most often so as

to get the general public involved in the war against problems of diseases

associated with poor housing within the area of study.

Public:

1. The people should participate in activities in all health programmes

meant for their benefit.

35
2. The people should continue practicing both personal and environmental

hygiene regularly.

3. Houses should not be built with substandard building materials to avoid

problems of poor housing.

4. People should not construct houses in slum or industrial zone to avoid

these problems of poor housing.

5. People should construct decent houses with all the necessary sanitary

facilities.

All these recommendations to the government and public at large are made

in order to prevent and control all public health problems that are associated

with poor housing with the area of study.

36
5.3 LIST ABBREVIATION

CSM - Cerebrospinal Meningitis

TB - Tuberculosis

ET-AL - And Others

E.H.O - Environmental Health Officer

H.O.D - Head of Department

NGOs - Non-Governmental Organizations

L.G.A - Local Government Area

P.H.C - Primary Health Care

S.H.T - School of Health Technology

WAHEB - West African Health Examination Board

SEPA - State Environmental Protection Agency

37
5.4 BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. ERUST, B. (1990) - Housing Environment and Family Life in the

Tropics Baltimore J.U Public USA 290.

2. FREAM, W.C. (1982) - Housing and Health, New Approach American

Public health No. 63: (10) 878-883

3. HUNTLEY, LW et-al (1982) - Planning Residential Environment, An Arbor

University of Michigan Pg 220.

4. GODWIN, LG et-al (1979) -Slum and Community Development, England

Macmillan Pg 108.

5. SEBINA, A.D (1993) - Problems Associated with Poor Housing and

Community Waste Disposal, Vol, 4 No.

14:416 (307) WHO

6. OLUWANDE, P.A. (1983) -A guide to Tropical Environment Health and

Engineering Niser Ibadan Pg. 166.

38
 QUESTIONNAIRE

Kankia Iro School of Health

and Technology Kankia,
Department of Environmental
Health Sciences,
Dear respondent;

I am an Environmental Health Technician (EVT) in training at the above

mentioned institution, undergoing a research project on “Public Health
Problems Associated with Poor Housing” A case study of Malumfashi Local
Government Area, Katsina State.

Please tick [√] as appropriate, the questionnaire has two (2) sections i.e.
Section (A) bio-data information and Section (B) information on Household.
The information supplied here are strictly confidential, therefore, you should
please cooperate kindly.

Thank You

SECTION A: (BIO DATA)

1. Sex: Male ( ) Female ( )

2. Age: 18 – 25 ( ) 25 – 29 ( ) 30 and above ( )
3. Marital Status: Married ( ) Single ( ) Divorced ( )
4. Educational Background: Formal ( ) Informal ( )
5. Religion: Islam ( ) Christianity ( )

39
 SECTION B (HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION)

6. Do you know anything about public health problems associated with poor

housing? Yes ( ) No ( )

7. If yes, through which of the following ways?

a. Through media ( )
b. Through personal experience ( )
c. Through personal research ( )
d. Others ( )
8. On your own understanding which factors among these contributes in the

outbreak of diseases associated with poor housing?

a. Ignorance and poverty ( )

b. Custom and traditional beliefs ( )
c. Poor environmental sanitation ( )
d. Poor house planning ( )
e. Overcrowding ( )
9. Do you believe that ignorance and poverty of the people have any

significance to these problems? Yes ( ) No ( )

10.Can poor planning and community hygiene be a means of acquiring these

diseases? Yes ( ) No ( )

11.Who among these are mostly affected with these problems?

a. Children ( )
b. Adult ( )
c. Elderly ( )

40
 d. Others ( )
12.Which among these is commonly a disease due to poor housing?

a. Cholera ( )

b. Tuberculosis ( )

c. Malaria ( )

13.Do you agree that lack of environmental sanitation facilities can

contribute to the occurrence of these diseases associated with poor

housing? Yes ( ) No ( )

14.Is poor environmental sanitation contributing factor towards these public

health problems associated with poor housing? Yes ( ) No ( )

15.Does negligence of public health personnel increase the chances of

acquiring these diseases? Yes ( ) No ( )

16.Beside government effort, is there any assistance from NGOs towards

controlling these problems? Yes ( ) No ( )

17.If yes, through which of the following ways?

a. Through public health education ( )

b. Through provision of sanitary facilities ( )

c. Through provision of drugs ( )

d. Others ( )

41
 Thanks for your cooperation
Abida Bashir
(Env. Health Technician)

42