ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATIONS ON HUMAN HEALTH IN CALABAR METROPOLIS, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study sort to assess the impact of environmental degradations on human health in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria. Three research objectives and three research questions guide the study. A descriptive survey research design was used and it was conducted in Calabar Metropolitan, Cross River State, Nigeria. The population for the study was 713,000 estimated people living in Calabar Metropolitan, as at 2025 by National Population Commission. A sample size of 400 residents of Calabar Metropolitan was obtained using Taro Yamane formula and sampled using simple random sampling technique. Questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire was face validated by three experts. Also, the reliability of the questionnaire was determined using Cronbach Alpha method and it yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.83. Data collection was carried out by the researchers and three trained research assistants. Analysis was done using mean and standard deviation. Results reveal fourteen (14) environmental degradations threatening Calabar Metropolitan; twelve (12) impacts of environmental degradations on human health in Calabar Metropolitan; and fifteen (15) strategies for mitigating the impacts of environmental degradations on human health in
Calabar Metropolitan. Based on the findings, the study concludes that Cross River State government should develop policy that can reduce the impacts of environmental degradation on human health and promote a healthier and more sustainable environment for all. It was therefore recommended that government should enforce laws and regulations to reduce industrial emissions and promote clean technologies among others.