Environment and Health Inequalities of Women in Different Neighbourhoods of Metropolitan Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Despite all the policies evolved by the various governments in Nigeria to maintain a healthy environment, inequalities in health persist among women in Lagos. This study examines the nature of the relationship between environmental health factors and health status of women in different neighbourhoods of metropolitan Lagos. All the 17 local government areas (LGAs) were selected to achieve 100\% representation. Questionnaires (no = 1,150) were administered to randomly selected women aged 18 years and above. A total of 9 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were held with women of same age from different neighbourhoods. Data analysis was by descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, one-way ANOVA and logistic regression. GIS was employed to show the spatial variation of health status of women across neighbourhoods. Results show that the mean of environmental diseases experienced by women varied among income neighbourhoods but while the difference in means between the low and medium income groups was highly significant at p < 0-5, that of the medium and high income groups was not. GIS highlighted the high income neighbourhood as having women in the highest health status. The more the access to pipe borne water, the lower the incidence of diarrhea (Wald = 19.125, p < 0.05) Also, diarrhea increased with age, irrespective of neighbourhood location. The FGDs identified stress as a major cause of ill health among women across neighbourhood groups. The study identified various neighbourhood environmental factors that affect the health of women. Improved environmental conditions are germane to improving the health status of women in metropolitan Lagos while emphasis is placed on attending to the stressors that affect women's health.