Assessment of housing quality in the Greater Karu Urban Area, Nigeria: A case of unplanned urbanization

Abstract

ABSTRACT Housing is an important social determinant of health. Lack of housing or poor-quality housing can negatively affect human health and wellbeing and is associated with a variety of adverse health outcomes. The study aimed to assess the housing quality of residents living in the Greater Karu Urban Area (GKUA), Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional design was used in this study. A semi-structured, validated questionnaire was administered to residents of the GKUA aged 18 years and over and residing in 289 households. The majority of the respondents were aged 30 years and over (84.2%), Christians (72.8%), married (57.7%), and had tertiary education (56.6%). This study found that residents of the GKUA live in homes with asbestos ceilings (30.5%), poor/no toilet system (33.5%), no water source within the building (44.1%), poor water quality (68.1%), cracked/damp walls (43%), plumbing defects (30.1%), no drainage system (42.3%), no proper waste disposal means (57.7%), no protection from noise (82.3%), poor air quality (69.1%), insecure electrical wirings (67.6%), pests (65.4%), mold (41.9%), without fire alarm (89.4%), and deplorable physical condition (69.5%). Overall, most of the houses did not meet the World Health Organization’s standard of a healthy residential house. The government needs to monitor and enforce healthy home standards in residential houses, especially in areas considered urban.