INVESTIGATING THE IMPEDIMENTS TO ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION COMPLIANCE AMONG RESIDENTS OF AKURE SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ONDO STATE

Inadequate sanitation is a major cause of disease world-wide and improving sanitation is known to have a significant beneficial impact on health both in households and across communities. Public health and environmental health have been adversely affected by poor sanitation compliance characterized by inadequate government fund in environmental sanitation, improper refuse disposal, lack of effective health education/advocacy on environmental sanitation. The main objectives of environmental sanitation is to create or maintain conditions in the environment that will promote health and prevent diseases. Hence, this study critically examined the impediments to environmental sanitation compliance among residents of Akure South Local Government area of Ondo State. Five research questions were raised and answered in this study. The descriptive survey research design was used. The study population comprised all residents of Akure South Local Government area of Ondo State. Three hundred respondents representing the sample for this study were selected using multistage sampling procedure. The instrument was a self-developed questionnaire validated by experts in the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education and the researcher’s supervisor. The test-retest method was used and a reliability coefficient of 0.75 was obtained. Descriptive statistics of frequency counts, percentages and mean was used to answer the research questions. The study showed that respondents agreed that inadequate funding for environmental sanitation (table mean = 2.50 < Grand mean = 2.84), lack of effective health education/advocacy (table mean = 2.50 < Grand mean = 2.84), improper refuse disposal(table mean = 2.50 < Grand mean = 2.67), lack of water supply (table mean = 2.50 < Grand mean = 3.12) and unhygienic practices (table mean = 2.50 < Grand mean = 3.11) impede environmental sanitation compliance among the residents of residents of Akure South Local Government area of Ondo State. it was concluded that inadequate government funding, lack of effective health education / advocacy, improper refuse disposal, lack of water supply and unhygienic practices were impediments to environmental sanitation compliance among residents of Akure South Local government Area of Ondo State. Hence, efforts should be put in place to increase campaigns through governmental and non-governmental agencies for higher awareness, knowledge and practice about environmental sanitation.