HUMAN HEALTH AND SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS OF OIL AND GAS ACTIVITIES IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN RIVERS STATE
Abstract
This study was carried out to assess the human health and socioeconomic impacts of oil and gas activities in selected Rivers State communities. Primary data were collected from questionnaire responses from respondents living within close proximity to the selected flare locations. The results revealed that 25.8% of the total respondents strongly agreed that gas flaring had significant impacts on air pollution in their community of residence, 64.1% of the total respondents agreed, 2.5% were undecided, 6.3% disagreed and 1.3% strongly disagreed that gas flaring had significant impacts on air pollution in their community of residence. Furthermore, 31.6% of the total respondents strongly agreed that gas flaring is affecting their health or the health of members of their family, 50.1% of the total respondents agreed, 3.0% were undecided, 10.1% disagreed and 4.5% of the total respondents strongly disagreed that gas flaring is affecting their health or the health of members of their family. Similarly, 40.4% of the total respondents strongly agreed that gas flaring is causing respiratory diseases, 55.6% agreed, 2.3% were undecided, 1.3% disagreed and 0.5% strongly disagreed that gas flaring is causing respiratory diseases. Furthermore, results revealed that 32.3% of the total respondents strongly agreed that gas flaring led to loss of income and livelihood, 52.3% agreed, 7.6% were undecided, 4.0% disagreed and 3.8% strongly disagreed that gas flaring led to loss of income and livelihood. The prevalence of health disorders is stress disorder>Respiratory Problems>heart disease>Diabetes>Cancer. The study recommends that adequate health facilities should be established in communities close to flare locations to cater for the urgent health needs of residents
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Human health, socioeconomic factors, oil and gas activities, gas flaringDownloads
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Copyright (c) 2024 Ohanuna, C, Imiete, G, Aigbe, E
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