Assessment of environmental sanitation behaviour of market traders in selected markets in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper assessed environmental sanitation behaviour of market operators in selected markets in Ibadan, Nigeria. The two largest markets in the study area (Aleshinloye and Bodija markets) were selected for sampling. The selected markets represented the two types of markets; modern and traditional markets. The modern market comprises 3803 shops while the traditional market comprises 5943 shops. Multistage sampling technique was adopted in questionnaire administration. The selected markets were stratified into zones based on the goods sold. Systematic sampling was used in the selection of traders across the markets. 2% of traders were selected for sampling in each category of goods sold making a total of 189 respondents. This comprises 77 of traders from modern market and 112 traders from traditional markets. Descriptive and Inferential statistics were used in analysing the data. Findings revealed poor access to environmental sanitation facilities especially at the traditional market. The study also established poor environmental sanitation behaviour in terms of utilisation of available amenities across both markets. It recommended a synergy of efforts by all environmentally concerned institutions in managing the market environment. It also advocated for the provision of environmental sanitation facilities in markets by, government, market management authorities, traders, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs). In addition environmental education is imperative while enforcement of environmental regulations in the market and others with similar setting is strongly encouraged.