Abstract:
This research examined the effects of slum environment on health of residents in the core of Akure, Nigeria with a view to suggesting means of improving the health standard of the residents and the environment they live. The areas examined were: Owode, Imuagun, Odojoka, Araromi, Oja-Oshodi, Odo-Ikoyi, Isolo and Ijomu. The survey research method was adopted for the purpose of this study. A sample size of 5% were taken from each housing quarters; thus, a total of 350 copies of the questionnaire was administered to household heads in the study area using the systematic random sampling method. Findings revealed age range of 4150 to be the highest which proved that the population of people residing in the study area fall within the economically productive age. A very low educational background was recorded of which a large number had no formal education. Households earn a very low income range of between N21,000-N40,000. Many of the houses do not possess building plan approval. Tenement housing which encourages overcrowding was dominant. Many of the houses were constructed with mud; old and dilapidated buildings were dominant in the study area. Handdug wells found in a dirty environment were common in the area, residents do not treat the water before use. A mean distance of 12.5 meters was discovered to be between the residents’ source of water and their toilet facility. Malaria was the dominant disease treated on a monthly basis by majority of the respondents. Statistical returns revealed that the environment affects significantly the health of the people. This research concludes by recommending urban renewal exercise to take place in the core, regular sanitation routine check, increased access to financial aid and provision of potable water accessible to all the residents of the study area.
