Abstract

The impact of environmental health education on the hygiene practices of people cannot be overemphasized, particularly among the residents of Makoko Area of Lagos Metropolitan City. This study examined the contributions of hygiene practices to environmental and health promotion. A descriptive research design of survey type was used for the study. A sample of 300 residents of Makoko Community was drawn using the volunteer sampling technique. Researchers used a revalidated questionnaire with a test-retest method yielding 0.89. Data were analyzed with the use of Pearson product-moment correlation (PPMC) at 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed among others that there is a significant difference between knowledge, attitudes and practices towards hand washing and the availability of water and sanitary facilities (r = 0.005, p > 0.05). Also, the result showed no significant difference between knowledge of hygiene education and government intervention and community participation (r = 0.076, p > 0.05). Conclusively, the sanitary conditions of the study area are moderate although there were still some negative environmental practices like the dumping of refuse indiscriminately, which causes pollution and exposure to diseases. Therefore, the study recommended that government and ministries of health and other relevant health agencies embark on health education and awareness campaign on the dangers and prevention of diseases associated with the environment and the need to practice environmental sanitation continuously.