SANITATION, HYGIENE AND HEALTH STATUS OF FEMALE HOSTELS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, EDO STATE

Abstract

A university is an institution that is expected to maintain a high standard of environmental cleanliness and hygiene, with particular emphasis on ensuring the cleanliness and tidiness of student hostels due to the health concerns associated with this practice. This study aims to assess the sanitation, hygiene and health status of female hostels in the University of Benin . A total of one hundred and fifty students respondents residents in ugbowo campus In the University of Benin were recruited to participate in this study. A well developed questionnaire was distributed to the students and their responses were collected. Frequency and percentages were used to assess the students’ responses. It was evident from the data obtained that the source of water in the female hostels was groundwater (borehole) (100%), which was cited on the hostel premises (100%) and majority (68%) agreed that water from main source was not currently available 85.3% of the respondents stated that the water was used for washing and cooking,not for drinking, only a minority of 20% agreed that they boil the water before use, 25.3% indicated that the water from source has taste, majority (58%) stated that the water from source has visible impurities. The results of health status of respondents revealed that 73.3% have experienced Typhoid fever, 88% stated that they have experienced diarrhoea and 65.3% stated that they have experienced Dysentery, within the last six months. The results of this study revealed that female hostels of the University were not free from environmental problems.