Perceived Influence of Hostel Sanitation Practices on Students’ Health at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Abstract

This study investigated the perceived influence of hostel sanitary practices on students’ health at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Three objectives guided the study. The study design was a cross-sectional survey. The population for the study was the 7129 assigned occupants of the 16 hostels in UNN out of which 160 respondents were randomly selected. A structured questionnaire
was used for the data collection and the data were analyzed using means and standard deviations. The findings showed that the causes of poor hostel sanitary practices were water scarcity (mean=3.58), lack of hygiene instruction (mean=3.13) and lack of garbage containers for disposing of waste (mean=3.8). The findings also showed that strategies/measures to improve sanitation include: controlling overcrowding of students in each room (mean 3.56). The university authorities should provide waste disposal cans (mean= 3.07) and hygiene instructions ( mean=3.56) should be provided for students. Also, the study found that the perceived health implications of poor sanitary practices were food poisoning (mean=3.50), depression (mean=3.8), diarrhoea (mean=3.28), cholera (3.59), and skin irritation(mean=3.50). The recommendations are that wash-related materials and agents should be regularly supplied to ensure quality cleaning services, also toilet cleaning checklist be introduced to ensure quality cleaning services by cleaning professionals, low-cost menstrual hygiene-related disposal materials placed in existing buildings in female hostels and there should be a participation of students in environmental sanitation