Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

Assessment of Environmental Hazard effect on Agricultural Resources and Health Conditions of Rural Households in Imo State, Nigeria

Izuogu C.U , Ekweanya N.M & Ifenkwe G.E

The assessment of the effect of environmental hazard on agricultural resources and health conditions is critical given its impact in changing livelihood patterns in the country especially among rural dwellers. Multi- staged purposive and random sampling techniques were used to choose the samples. The study described the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents and analysed for difference in the effects of environmental hazard on health conditions and agricultural production. Data analysis was carried out with the use of descriptive statistics analysis of variance. From the result, 87.92% (majority) of the respondents had a household size of below 10 persons while 12.08% of the respondents had a household size of above 10 persons. The mean household size is 6 persons. The result from the means of the perceived effect of environmental hazard on health conditions and agricultural resources shows that the mean of the perceived effect on agricultural resources was 1.954 while the mean of the perceived effect on health conditions was 1.035. This implies that the perceived effect is significantly lower in health conditions when compared to agricultural resources. It was therefore recommended that more studies that assess hazards which provide information on the probable location and severity of dangerous natural phenomena and the likelihood of their occurring within a specific time period be encouraged.

Published Date: 2015-09-24;