Assessing level of application of biodiversity principles in Pediatrics Centre of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria

Abstract

Globally, there has been growing interest and evidence of the built environment's influence on patient recovery, particularly within the biodiversity framework and with more emphasis on paediatric healthcare facilities. Despite the considerable benefits of biodiversity principles in designing paediatric hospital environments, they remain largely unexplored in Nigeria. Therefore, this article aimed to evaluate how healthcare professionals and caregivers perceive the level of application of biodiversity principles to promote patients' well-being and recovery in the paediatrics department at ABUTH, Zaria. The research employed a case study methodological approach and a closed-end structured questionnaire to validate the data collected through the purposive sample technique. A visual survey was conducted at the paediatric centre of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital to evaluate the presence of four biodiversity principles: healing gardens (HGA), interior landscapes (ILA), natural lighting (NLI), and colour (COL). Patient well-being (PWEL) was assessed as the outcome measure. Eighty-nine healthcare professionals and caregivers contributed data for this study. The majority of respondents believed that ILA (M = 3.84), NLI (M = 3.21), and COL (M = 3.91) have a strong, significant positive influence on patients' well-being and recovery rates in environments close to nature. Conversely, respondents perceived HGA (M = 1.93) as less significant. The case study's findings revealed that the Paediatric Centre has efficient lighting (70%) and good use of colour (60%). The design gave less consideration to the healing garden (10%) and the indoor landscape in the wards (10%), despite their vital role in a paediatric patient's recovery. The study highlights the importance of integrating biodiversity design principles into therapeutic settings. By doing so, we can create environments that support patients' emotional healing and nurture meaningful connections between patients, their families, and the natural world. The study's findings demonstrated nature's essential role in patients' well-being and fostered a rich, healing atmosphere that benefitted everyone involved in the hospital environment.