Where Children Live and Have their Wellbeing; A Study of Housing Conditions and Health in Accra-Ghana.

Abstract

The study investigates the links between housing conditions and reported health conditions of children in Madina, a suburb of the Greater Accra region of Ghana. The study used purposive sampling and snowballing sampling techniques to sample residents who were parents and guardians (N = 90; 79% = female; age 18 < 50; with children <15 years). Research questions explored include the resident’s perceptions and classification of the housing conditions, their perceptions of the aspects of their housing which affects the health of their children and the children’s health conditions commonly reported to health institutions. Housing conditions were measured with an observation checklist assessing: overcrowding, ventilation, structural problems, and sanitation among others. Health conditions were measured by the reporting of symptoms. Pearson’s correlations, and chi-square tests were used to analyze the relationship between health and housing conditions. The results indicated that majority of respondents (83%) perceived their household conditions as poor. Among others, respondents mentioned poor ventilation, leaking roofs, and poor sanitary conditions as some of the problems they face. About 79% of sampled households reported the occurrence of at least one existing health condition in their children, which they attributed to their housing conditions. These findings highlight the need for housing policies to improve housing conditions in Ghanaian suburbs to strengthen the health and wellbeing among among the residents and especially children.

Keywords: Housing Conditions; Health Problems; Urban Areas; Accra Ghana.