International Journal of Environmental Planning and Management
Articles Information
International Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Vol.5, No.2, Jun. 2019, Pub. Date: Sep. 6, 2019
Essential Services of Environmental Health in Oil-bearing Communities in Nigeria: Implication for Policy and Practice
Pages: 42-50 Views: 1162 Downloads: 228
Authors
[01] Ibanga Ekong, Department of Community Health, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
[02] Edidiong Frank, Immanuel General Hospital, Eket, Nigeria.
Abstract
Environmental health remains an important, yet poorly regulated, component of public health in Nigeria. Though environmental legislation in Nigeria exists, the need for them to be well designed, as well as efficiently and effectively enforced is paramount. This study aimed to improve environmental services in corporate practices by improving the current knowledge and practice of essential services of environmental health which they should do by regularly assessing environmental and health status to Identify environmental health problems; empower people about environmental health issues; mobilize partnerships to identify and solve environmental health problems; and contribute to developing policies and plans that support individual and environmental health efforts. This was a cross sectional study conducted among health centers in oil-bearing communities in southern Nigeria, multinational companies and tertiary educational and health institutions. There was majorly no formal system to assess environmental health threats (84.2%), and lack of formal systems to acquire input and routinely conduct needs assessment (15.8%). Furthermore, identification of environmental and health status had significant relationships with diagnosis of environmental health problems (r=0.558, p<0.05). There is a need for integrated environmental management system, well regulated by government with support from the private sector, for improved environmental health services in corporate practice.
Keywords
Environmental Health, Formal Systems, Diagnose, Environmental Health Services
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