AWARENESS OF THE HEALTH IMPLICATION OF AIR POLLUTION AMONG STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

Abstract

Air pollution is seen as a major threat to human health. This study examined the awareness of undergraduate students of the health implication of air pollution on the Undergraduate students of the University of Benin. A descriptive survey research design was used and the population for the study was 5705, systematic and simple random sampling techniques were used and 222 respondents were drawn as a sample for this study. The instrument used for this study was a self-structured questionnaire titled Awareness of the Health Implications of Air Pollution, making up of two sections. The questionnaire was validated by three experts in the Department of Health, Safety and Environmental Education. A split half method was used to check the reliability of the instrument. A Cronbach alpha correlation coefficient value of 0.82 was obtained. The data collected were analyzed using frequency and percentage score. From the findings, it was concluded that the respondents were aware that air pollution destroys the nerves in the respiratory system, causes of lung cancer, heart and lung diseases are also caused by air pollution amongst others. In line with the conclusion of the study, it was therefore recommended that Government should enact laws that will checkmate the importation of old vehicle in the country, industries (oil companies) that pollute the air should be heavily fined and sanction.