Off-Campus Living Among Ekiti State University Students in Southwestern Nigeria: Health and Policy Implications

Fasoro Olatunji Jimoh

doi:10.11648/j.jher.20180402.15

Abstract

The quest for attaining higher educational levels has increased over the year leading to the dwindling in the availability of hostel accommodation. A cross-sectional descriptive study design was conducted among 312 respondents selected utilizing a multistage sampling technique. Quantitative data was collected using a semi structured self-administered questionnaire. Analysis was done as appropriate on the univarate and bivariate levels using SPSS software version 20 package. An assessment of bed space ownership showed a majority, 198 (63.5%) did not have bed space with only 114 (36.5%) being the legal occupant of which 51 (16.3%) were with squatters while the remaining 63 (20.2%) were without squatters. Overall, female students made up the greater proportion of students without legal occupancy. Illegal owners of hostel bedspaces (32.8%) were found to experience more incidences of domestic accidents such as falls, wounds, electric shock, burns and scalds in the hostel compare to legal owners (20.2 Malaria was the predominant ailment experienced by the respondents 95 (49.2%), with asthma being the least 6 (3.1%). A greater proportion of the students are not legal occupants of their rooms. They are either squatters, floaters, colonizers or bought the spaces from the rightful owners. It is thereby advocated that universities need to engage in public private partnership using the “Build, Operate and Transfer” (BOT) model to build more hostels within the University premises.

Highlights

The quest for attaining higher educational levels has increased over the year in Nigeria with more people striving to acquire additional degrees in other to compete favorably in the job market
It was observed that effects of religious activities on the respondents had a significant association with students gender (p=0.0001)
Overcrowding in university hostels impacts negatively on the health and well being of students thereby culminating in their poor academic performance

Summary

Introduction

The quest for attaining higher educational levels has increased over the year in Nigeria with more people striving to acquire additional degrees in other to compete favorably in the job market. This has lead to the dwindling in availability of hostel accommodations with most students in tertiary institutions finding it difficult acquiring adequate accommodation. [3] Adequate and appropriate housing conditions, on the other hand, protects students against health hazards, and help to promote robust physical, mental and psychological comfort and social vigor. The structure, location, facilities and services available are essential for optimum performance of the students. [2] Poor hostel conditions and usage caused by overcrowding may increase vulnerability to injury, disease and even death. [3] Adequate and appropriate housing conditions, on the other hand, protects students against health hazards, and help to promote robust physical, mental and psychological comfort and social vigor.

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion