Assessing Housing Quality and Its Impact on Public Health in Rural-Urban Area of Idah Town, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper investigates the state of housing quality and its associated health impacts in the rural-urban region of Idah, Nigeria. Employing a descriptive cross-sectional approach, data were collected from a systematically sampled group of three hundred and fifty households using structured questionnaires. The collected data were subjected to descriptive analysis using statistical tools commonly employed in social science research. The findings reveal a worrying picture of housing and health conditions in Idah. Regarding public health impacts, the study found alarming health challenges among residents. The prevalence of typhoid and malaria cases was notably high, affecting 43% of the surveyed population. Additionally, cases of diarrhoea, malaria only, and undiagnosed illness (which refer to conditions where individuals experience sickness symptoms but do not seek medical testing or hospital care) were reported by 17%, 12%, and 11% of respondents, respectively. However, 62% of respondents lived in rooms that had only one window. Among these, only 23% had windows on both room walls, limiting ventilation and natural light. Furthermore, overcrowding was identified as a critical issue, with 38% of households accommodating more than four individuals in a single room. A significant proportion of the surveyed residents (69%) lacked access to a portable water source. In conclusion, this study underscores the grim reality of poor housing quality in Idah and highlights its significant association with various health issues experienced by the local population. These findings emphasise the urgent need for comprehensive interventions to improve housing conditions and, by extension, public health in the region. The study's implications extend beyond Idah and serve as a valuable reference for policymakers, researchers, international organisations and non-governmental organisations working towards enhancing housing quality and overall well-being in rural and sub-rural areas of emerging nations.