ABSTRACT
This research dealt with the effect of sanitation practice and its implications on student's health in halls of Residence University of Benin, Benin city. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of sanitation practice and its implications on student's health in halls of Residence. Six research questions were raised and answered to guide the study.
The research design adopted for the study is descriptive survey research design. The population of the study consist of 7,040 (seven thousand and forty) from the target halls of residences (Hall 1– Hall 4). The sample technique employed for the research is purposive sampling method. A number of 25 (twenty-five) students were selected from each hostels making the sample size for the study 100 (one hundred). The research instrument adopted is the self-structured questionnaire. One hundred (100) copies of questionnaire were administered and the (100) copies were retrieved. The questionnaire comprised of two sections; section A and section B, section A of the questionnaire provided the demographic data of the respondents, while section B addressed statements of the research purposes. The validity of the research instrument was established by my supervisor and two other lecturers in the department of health, safety and environmental education. The reliability of the instrument was ascertained using test-retest method. The questionnaire was administered to the 20 respondents selected from the target population and after an interval of two weeks; it was re administered to the same target population. The scores gotten from both administrations were computedusing the Pearson Produce Moment coefficient formula, after computing a coefficient of 0.76 was obtained. The data that were collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency count and percentages.
It was observed that overcrowding, lack of adequate sanitation facilities and poor orientation on the maintenance of these facilities are the causes of poor sanitation in halls of residence. It was equally observed that students are aware of the effect of poor sanitation practices but they are lazy to put their knowledge into practices. Based on the above findings, it was concluded that poor sanitation practice has great effect on the health of students and adequate sanitation will improve the lifestyle and enhance optimal health of students in University of Benin. The main goal is to improve the health status of students so to avoid being indisposed. The sanitation practice of the halls of residence was found to be very poor. This is because of the overcrowding of students, inadequate waste disposal by the students and lack of adequate sanitation facilities. Based on the findings, students have the knowledge on the effects of poor sanitation practices but yet to develop attitudes and practice them. The school authority, representatives from the ministry of health and environment and government should work together in providing facilities, creating workshops and seminars to inform the students on the importance of practicing good sanitary measures.
