EXPLORING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PERCEIVED WATER QUALITY AND SKIN HEALTH: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF OTO/IJANIKIN RESIDENTS, LAGOS, NIGERIA

Abstract

Concerns about water quality and its impact on health have risen globally, particularly in densely populated areas like Ojo Local Government Area. Despite efforts by the Lagos State Water Corporation, challenges persist in ensuring access to portable water access. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between perceived water quality and skin health among residents of Oto/Ijanikin, Nigeria. The study employed a structured questionnaire to collect data from 845 participants using convenience and stratified random sampling. Reliability analysis of the instrument yielded a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.70, indicating the consistency of the questionnaire used. The analysis of the study included descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentages; and inferential statistics of Pearson's Product Moment Correlation coefficient and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that the two (2) null hypotheses were rejected indicating a significant association between perceived water quality and skin health, as well as a correlation between perceived water quality and severity/types of skin health conditions. The results emphasized the importance of addressing water quality concerns to improve public health outcomes. Findings suggest a need for policy interventions and community health initiatives to address water quality concerns and mitigate skin health burdens. This research contributes to understanding health challenges in underserved communities and informs strategies for improving public health outcomes.