EFFECTIVENESS OF INFORMAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION IN REDUCING PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS AMONG MARKET WOMEN IN OGUN STATE

Abstract

This study examined the perceived effectiveness of informal environmental health education in 
reducing public health risks among market women in Ogun State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey 
design was adopted, and 300 market women were selected through multi-stage sampling from two 
major markets in the Ijebu and Egba divisions. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire 
titled Survey on Informal Environmental Health Education and Public Health Risks among Market 
Women, which showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .91). The study assessed six 
public health outcomes: hygiene practices, waste disposal practices, food safety practices, disease 
prevention awareness, use of personal protective items, and overall health behaviour. Data were 
analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Informal 
environmental health education was positively associated with food safety practices (r = .549, p 
< .01, r² = .30), use of protective items (r = .521, p < .01, r² = .27), hygiene practices (r = .511, p 
< .01, r² = .26), disease prevention awareness (r = .463, p < .05, r² = .21), and waste disposal 
practices (r = .437, p < .05, r² = .19). These results suggest weak-to-moderate practical effects, 
with informal education explaining approximately 19% to 30% of the variance in selected public 
health behaviours. The study concluded that informal environmental health education is a useful, 
low-cost strategy for improving health-related practices in community marketplaces, although the 
correlational design does not establish causation. It recommended sustained market-based health 
talks, peer education, visual aids, and collaboration among health authorities, market 
associations, and community leaders.