ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF SLUM ENVIRONMENT ON RESIDENTS OF OKPOKO SLUM

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of slum environment on the residents of Okpoko and determined the standard slum deprivation index (SDI). The survey research design was adopted with questionnaire and interview serving as the instruments of data collection. 200 households were purposively selected and sampled while 40 community leaders in were interviewed. The study also utilized the WaSH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) and DPE (Dwelling and Physical Environment) as the measurement scale for the assessment (with the scale code of 0 = no access and 1 = access; 0 value for SDI meaning not deprived at all and 1 meaning 100 percent deprived). It was found that the three selected were all deprived in both the WaSH and DPE. The average SDI for Okpoko is 0.6481 and the test of hypothesis also established a relationship between the SDI and attitude of the residents to environmental issues and the relationship model is y = 0.390084 + 2.63825x, where x is SDI and y is the attitude of the respondents to the environment. It was established that the relationship is positive on the average and more deprivation will lead to bad attitude of residents towards environmental issues. The study recommended that academic development of the slum dwellers should be intensified to improve their understanding of the dangers of a filthy environment to their health and general wellbeing; there should be increased awareness campaign in these slum areas and collaboration with non-governmental bodies in project execution; Environmental Sanitation should be intensified and poverty alleviation projects encouraged to improve the socio-economic status of the residents of the area; also in undertaking of any developmental project(s) in the slum areas the residents should be made to participate and their opinion should count as they are major stakeholders.

Keywords: DPE, Slum Deprivation Index, Slum Environment, Slum Residents, WaSH