CAUSES OF WATER-BORNE DISEASES AMONG INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the causes of water-borne diseases among internally displaced persons in
Adamawa State, Nigeria. The purpose of the study was to examine the difference in the causes of
water-borne diseases based on camp location. A descriptive research design of survey type was
adopted. The population for the study comprised all adult IDPs in State, Nigeria. A sample of three
hundred and twenty-nine (329) respondents selected using multi-stage sampling was used for the
study. A researcher developed questionnaire, validated and tested for reliability was used for data
collection. Data was analysed using frequency counts and percentages to answer the research
questions while, t-test was used to test the hypothesis for the study at 0.05 alpha level of significance.
Results show that; there is no significant difference in the causes of water borne disease based on
camp location (Cal. T value = 31.69 > p.value=0.05 @ df =1.96) in IDPs camps in Adamawa State,
Nigeria. Findings revealed that that shortage of water for drinking, poor hygienic living condition,
inadequate toilet facilities and lack of waste disposal are the common causes of water-borne diseases
in IDPs camps in Adamawa State. The researchers recommended that, health education on the
importance of maintaining personal and environmental hygiene should be emphasised by health
workers and health educators working in the various camps. This will go a long way in curtailing
water-borne diseases in the camps.