Abstract

This paper examined housing conditions and the prevalence of respiratory diseases in three low socioeconomic districts in Abuja. Primary data were acquired through the Multi-Stage sampling technique from three districts namely Mabushi, Utako and Gudu in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The first stage involved the selection of 270 housing units. The second stage involved the random selection of the housing units and the third was the administration of questionnaires to the household heads. The data was analyzed and presented in tables.  The secondary data were sourced from textbooks, journals and internet facilities. Over 70% of the houses are poorly ventilated. The conditions of internal walls of the sampled houses in three districts are poor. These houses have cracked walls and the presence of algal growth on walls. Over 80% of the sampled houses do not meet the United Nation’s Habitat minimum occupancy ratio standard of 3 persons per room. Common cold accounts for the majority (49%) of the respiratory disease reported in the three districts followed by cough, which is about 40%.  About 27% of respondents attributed the cause of respiratory disease in their districts to overcrowding, 28% attributed it to poor ventilation, while 23% attributed it to bad sanitation and hygiene. There is a significant difference in the prevalence of respiratory diseases between and within the three districts. The study recommended that targeted housing policies to support individuals living in squatter settlements should be considered to mitigate adverse outcomes associated with respiratory disease.

Key Words: Healthy housing, Urban poor, Respiratory diseases, Slums