Assessing Temperature Variabilities and Its Implications for Health and Livelihoods in Abuja Metropolis From 2019-2024 (Published)
This paper is on the assessment of temperature variabilities and its implications for health and livelihoods in Abuja metropolis from 2019-2024 as well as the assessment of high temperature and coping mechanisms in Abuja metropolis. High temperature facilitates heat stress, deaths, cardiovascular diseases, mental health, asthma and risk of accidents. Cross sectional survey design techniques were deployed with questionnaire as the primary source of data. Analysis on household size of the study showed that 18.37% accounted for 0-3 households, 41.47% accounted for 4-6, while 39.64% and 0.52% accounted for 7-10 and 11 and above respectively. The result further reveals that males have 81.4% and females 18.6% in terms of sex respondents while bracket ranges from 18-25 (19.69%), 26-35 (23.62%), 31-45 (26.50%), 46-55 (17.59) and 56 above had (12.60%) respectively. Two hypotheses of the study revealed a significant effect of health risk associated with high temperature in the study area and significant effect of the strategies adopted by the residents to cushion the impact of high temperature in Abuja metropolis. Findings of the study amongst others show that the mean yearly temperature (January – December, 2019 – 2023 January- August 2024) are within WHO acceptable limit of 370C in all the months, tall buildings within many urban areas provide multiple surfaces for the reflection and absorption of heat, stony materials absorb solar radiation and thus heat up the environment in the city, climate change causes high temperature and that high temperature causes asthma attacks, respiratory and cardiovascular health conditions. Arising from the above, the study recommended that proper implementation of environmental impact assessment of road construction and high-rise buildings should be taken seriously.
Keywords: Abuja metropolis, Health, Livelihoods, temperature variabilities
Spatial Pattern and Distribution of Malaria Cases in Owo Local Government Area, Nigeria (Published)
This study investigates the spatial pattern and distribution of malaria cases in Owo Local Government Area, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used, such that 50% of the 7 urban political wards were selected. The selected 4 urban political wards comprise of 12,466 household heads. Also, 10% of the 127 rural settlements were randomly selected making 14 rural settlements with 9,095 household heads. In all, 1.5% of the total household heads, comprising 187 in the urban areas and 136 in the rural settlements were interviewed using systematic random sampling techniques. A secondary data source obtained from relevant healthcare facilities was used for spatial analysis. Specifically, 59 selected residential settlements were used as the input feature class, while the records on malaria cases in each residential settlement during the reviewed year serve as the input field for the analyses. Spatial statistical functions provided by ArcGIS 10.8 and Geospatial tool are utilized for data analysis. Findings revealed preponderance of malaria within the urban core area of Owo. This can be attributed to inadequate wastewater management, poor waste disposal methods, and inadequate environmental education and awareness. On the other hand, malaria cases in rural areas were relatively low due to the use of alternative disease treatment methods. To ameliorate these challenges, there is a need for improved access to a safe and high-quality environment, implement suitable sanitation facilities and solid waste disposal methods, promote community-based educational initiatives and awareness campaigns, and encouraging hygienic behaviors. Through these, the health challenges of malaria can be mitigated.
Keywords: Disease, Distribution, Health, Settlement, Spatial Pattern