Elijah Eghong Ivi & Akpo David Mbu
Abstract
Sanitation is a practice that allows the protection of health of the people and the environment. Environmental sanitation leads to a healthy environment and stimulates good health and productivity. This study therefore, examined “influence of environmental sanitation on the health of secondary school students in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria”. To achieve this purpose of the study, two specific objectives and research questions were raised to guide the study which was transformed into two hypotheses. Literature was reviewed in line with the variables of the study. The study design used for the study was survey research design. A total population of 7, 431 comprising of 21 public secondary schools were used for the study (Ministry of Education, Cross River State, 2016). A total sample size of 743 respondents was used obtained from 10% of the total population. The instrument used for the study was the questionnaire; which was validated by experts in Measurement and Evaluation Department, University of Calabar. Test-retest method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument with reliability coefficient ranges from 0.59 to 0.68. The data were analyzed using chi-square statistical tool. The findings of the study revealed that poor solid waste disposal significantly influence the health of secondary school students and dirty school environment significantly influence the health of secondary school students in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State respectively. The study recommended that adequate efforts should be put in place towards ensuring proper handling and disposal of solid waste by the government and the school authorities.