Browsing by Author "Ohadugha, C. B"

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    Assessment of Residents’ Awareness of Urban Health Hazards in Informal Settlements of Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
    (Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria, 2025-11) Suleiman, A. R.; Junaid, A. M; Sanni, L. M; Ohadugha, C. B
    Abstract The rapid and often unregulated urban expansion in Nigeria has strained municipal systems, leading to widespread health hazards such as poor sanitation, polluted water, and exposure to hazardous materials particularly in informal settlements. Public awareness of these hazards is crucial, as it shapes health behaviours, community responses, and the effectiveness of environmental health policies and interventions. This study investigates residents’ awareness level of urban environmental health hazards across three Area Councils of Abuja Municipal, Bwari, and Gwagwalada in FCT, Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional survey design, primary data were collected from 1,137 respondents through structured questionnaires and field observations. Residents’ Awareness was measured on a 4-point Likert scale and analysed using descriptive statistics and the Kruskal-Wallis H test to evaluate spatial differences. The results revealed that across the Area Councils, most respondents (56.0%) have tertiary education, reflecting a relatively educated population. Results also show a high awareness of visible, day-to-day hazards (clogged drains, noise, waste), while awareness of less visible but harmful risks (asbestos and mould) remains low. The Kruskal-Wallis H test revealed no statistically significant differences in awareness levels across Councils (p > 0.05). Post-hoc pairwise comparisons using Mann-Whitney U tests confirmed this uniformity. These findings indicate the need for targeted education strategies to raise awareness about chronic and less perceptible health hazards, while supporting region-wide public health interventions that leverage the high educational attainment of the population. This study aligned with the SDG goal 11 which advocates for inclusive, safe, resilience and liveable cities especially in the developing countries.