Assessment of Housing Conditions and Reported Health Problems Among Residents in Owerri West Local Government Area, Imo State

The study assesses housing condition and reported health problems among residents in Owerri West Local Government Area, Imo State. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional survey to access the housing conditions and reported health problems among residents in Owerri West Local Government Area, Imo State. The survey was designed with the use of structured questionnaires administered to 400 residents chosen from three autonomous communities of the three clans in the Local Government Area. Hygrometer (Humidity meter) was used to measure relative humidity and temperature of the houses in the studied areas. Findings reveal that malaria was the most reported ailment followed by hypertension and arthritis the least. The result shows that majority of the houses in the studied areas are type C and D and they are not built in compliance with the National Building Code. Hence, most of the residents are exposed to having malaria. The result also showed that type A and B buildings have high relative humidity and temperature and this shows that most respondents in type A and B stand a better chance of not been hypertensive as compared with their counterparts in type C and D houses. From the results, there was no significant relationship between housing conditions and arthritis. The result also shows that a greater percentage of residents living in type C and D buildings have poor disposal facilities and means of water supply, these could be contributive factor to their having ailment. The study concludes that housing conditions affects the health of the residents in the three autonomous communities across Owerri West Local Government Area, Imo State. Recommendations include deliberate efforts by the government to enforce building of houses in compliance with the National Building Code, public enlightenment amongst others.