Assessment of Landscape Components in Hospital Environment for General Hospital Buildings in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

The visible landscape is believed to have effect on human beings in many ways in provision of aesthetics appreciation, good health as well as the general well-being of human. It is observed that some of the hospitals in Enugu State, Nigeria lack landscaping elements which have resulted to unhealthy and uncomfortable environment especially to the patients. This research is aim to assess landscaping elements in hospital environment in order to promote good health in General hospitals in the study area. It begins by looking at the theoretical and conceptual benefits in landscaping and also selectively reviews scientific research on the influence of gardens and plants in hospitals. The method of research employed was the use of interview schedule and structured questionnaire on hospital users. Supportive information about the benefits of landscape on patient’s well-being was collected. Availability of landscape components was subjected to 4 point Likert scale to determine the level of landscape elements present in the hospital environment. The result revealed that 83.0% patients like to see greenery around the hospital vicinity, 77.68% patients reported improved mental health and fast recovery from ill health as a result of good landscape, 88.0% reported released from stress and therapeutic benefits. Among all the respondents, 80.5% reported that they liked to spend time in hospital garden in order to view plants which ultimately improve their health. In conclusion, hospital landscape strongly improves patient’s health just by viewing green environment around the hospital. Adequate and well planned landscape should be encouraged in hospital design to enhance the health of patients and the comfort of other users.