EFFECTS OF HOUSING DYNAMICS ON MENTAL HEALTH OF URBAN DWELLERS IN MINNA, NIGER STATE

Abstract

This study focused on the effects of housing dynamics on mental health of urban dwellers in Minna with a view to suggesting ways of enhancing harmonious relationship between housing and mental health of urban dwellers. The objective is to examine the effect of housing dynamics on mental health of urban dwellers in Minna. The study employed quantitative approach using structured questionnaires. A total number of 243 questionnaires were administered, multi-stage sampling procedure was used to regroup Minna 36 main residential areas into 10 main residential wards, purposive sampling was used to select of three (3) main wards, one from each density group (High, medium and low density). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyse the effect of housing dynamics on mental health of the residents. The study found out that six housing attributes that contributes significantly to mental health and stress level of the residents include types of housing (0,030), house ownership status (0.012), number of rooms (0.040), access to water (0.021), toilet (0.039) and environmental quality (0.040). In conclusion, changes in the dynamics of housing type occupied, home ownership, number of rooms occupied by household, access to toilet facilities and types, and environmental quality of the residents affect the mental health status of the residents. The study recommends that stakeholders in the construction industry should devise ways of providing quality and affordable housing for the medium and lower class of the society, this will help reduce the mental stress suffered by residents.