HOUSING CONDITIONS AND PERCEIVED HEALTH EFFECTS ON UNDER-5 CHILDREN ON OMI-ADIO, IDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE

Abstract

Living conditions and sanitary housing are important social determinants of health. Under-5 (U-5) children living in poor or overcrowded conditions are vulnerable to respiratory infections and other health problems.The literature on housing effects in relation to child health has shown that there is an association between housing conditions and incidence of ill health but to date, little research has been conducted on the relationship between health and housing in the Nigeria. This study aimed at assessing housing conditions and perceived health effects on U-5 in Omi-Adio (OA) community. A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted; A 3-stage (wards, communities and households) sampling technique was used to select 300 consenting caregivers of U-5 in OA. Pre-tested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on: perceived health effects reported by caregivers three months preceding the survey, socio-demographic and household characteristics. One hundred consenting households out of 300 participated in environmental monitoring. Temperature and Relative Humidity (RH)were monitored using Muiti-function Environment metre (model: NO9AQ). Airborne Total Bacteria Count (TBC) and Total Fungi Counts (TFC) of replicate samples were determined using open plate method. Measurements were taken between 8-11am and 2-5pm daily for three months in the bedroom, sitting-room and outdoor. Results of temperature and RH were compared with American Society of Hearing, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineering (ASHRAE) standard. Values for TBC and TFC were compared with American industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) guideline limit. Data Were analysed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, correlation and t-test. Mean ages of caregivers and U-5 were 32.2± 7.0 years and 39.6 ± 12.8 months respectively. Median household size was 5.0 (range 2-9) and median number of rooms occupied by household was 2.0 (range 1-6). The ill health reported were fever (51.7%), respiratory infection (33.3%), skin infection (19.3%) and diarrhoea (6.0%). Seventy-two percent caregivers lived in rooming apartments. Mean morning and afternoon temperatures in bedroom (31.3 ±3.2⁰C and 31.3±2.3⁰C). sitting-room (31.1±3.2⁰C and 31.2±2.2⁰C) and outdoor (31.8±3.3⁰C and 31.7±2.3⁰C) respectively were higher than ASHRAE standard. Geometric mean morning and afternoon RH in bedroom (69.1±5.9% and 70.5±6.0%), sitting-room (69.5±6.0% and 70.8±6.3%) and outdoor (68.5±7.1% and 70.5±7.1%) respectively were higher than ASHRAE standard. Mean morning and afternoon TBC in bedroom (0.68×10² cfu/m3 and 0.67×10² cfu/m3)sitting-room (0.64x10² cfu/m³ and 0.66× 102cfu/m³) and outdoor (0.68x102cfu/m³ and 0.67x10² cfu/m³) respectively were Iower than AIHA. Bacteria isolated were Pseudomonas spp. Proteus spp. and Bacillus spp. Similarly, mean morning and afternoon TFC in bedroom (0.43x10²cfu/m³ and 0.42x10²cfu/m³). sitting-room (0.37x10²cfu/m³ and 0.45x102cfu/m³) and outdoor (0.38x10²cfu/m³ and 0.34×10²cfu/m³) respectively were lower than AIHA. Fungi isolated were Aspergillus spp, Penicillium spp., Candida sp and Mucor spp. Mean TBC in bedroom of U- 5C with and without reported fever episode were 70.2±36.9 and 62.4±28.6 respectively (p<0.05). There was a weak but significant correlation between TBC and temperature(r=-0.161, p<0.05) and TBC and R.H(r=- 0.11, p.<0.05). High temperature and relative humidity exist in houses at Omi-Adio and there were associated bacteria as well as fungi pathogens. These have negative implication on the health of under-five children. Health awareness campaign on good housing conditions therefore recommended.