HOUSEHOLD AIR POLLUTION AS DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH BARRIERS ASSOCIATED WITH CHILD BEARING MOTHERS IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined household air pollution as determinants of health barriers associated with childbearing mothers in Kogi State, Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised 8880 childbearing mothers (CBMs) in Kogi State, Nigeria out of which 444 were sampled. Two to five percent is considered adequate as it conforms to the rule of the thumb stated by Nwana (2006). The instrument for data collection was a self-developed questionnaire. Two research questions. Data collected was presented and analyzed using frequency and percentage count. Result showed that child bearing mothers are prone to respiratory problem, cancer, cardiovascular diseases The study concluded therefore that child bearing mothers in Kogi State who use crude method of cooking/heating and those who reside in rural areas with low population density, as well as the education and job opportunities are prone to HAP problem when compare with urban areas in Kogi State, Nigeria. It is recommended that there should be adequate advocacy on the need to limit the use of crude means of cooking among childbearing mothers (CBMs). Sensitization of child bearing mothers on how to improve their cooking methods in order to sustain their good health.