Poverty as a precursor for spatial pattern of waterborne diseases prevalence in Kwara state, Nigeria: A geographer’s view

Abstract

This study aims at looking at the relationship between poverty and spatial pattern of waterborne diseases in Kwara State. The study involved 353 household heads across the three senatorial districts of the study area. Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted to obtain all the relevant data. In all, in-depth- interviews (IDI) were conducted and 664 questionnaires were also administered in the randomly selected settlements of the wards on the subject matter. Data from all these sources were subjected to correlation analysis, thus for Kwara North Senatorial district, the p-value of .008 < 0.05 level of significance stood at a correlation level of 0.530 at 22 df. Additionally, for Kwara Central Senatorial district, the p-value of .352 > 0.05 level of significance stood at a correlation level of 0.199 at 22 df, while for Kwara South Senatorial. This because the p-value of .194 > 0.05 level of significance at a correlation level of 0.275 at 22 df. The study revealed that poverty has much influence on the prevalence of waterborne diseases: it therefore concludes that as a result of poverty, accessing adequate safe water facilities in the study area is a mirage. This is in addition to the neglect on the part of government in providing affordable water services, in the face of financial incapability of people of the study area. The study therefore recommends that, meaningful economic programmes be introduced in order to encourage sustainable income, through which poverty can be reduced.

Keywords: Poverty, Health Status, Waterborne Disease