Evaluation of Environmental Health Education and its Impact on Students' Sanitation Practices in Universities in South East Geopolitical zone of Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the evaluation of environmental health education and its impact on students’ sanitation practices in universities in the South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. A correlational research design was adopted. Three objectives, three research questions, and three null hypotheses guided the study. The population comprised undergraduate students in selected universities, from which a sample of 300 respondents was drawn using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled “Environmental Health Education and Students’ Sanitation Practices Questionnaire (EHESSPQ)”. The instrument was validated by experts, and its reliability was established using Cronbach’s alpha, yielding a coefficient of 0.886, indicating that the instrument was reliable. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while Pearson product–moment correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between environmental health education and students’ sanitation practices (r = 0.65, p < 0.05). A strong and significant relationship was also found between students’ knowledge of environmental health education and their sanitation practices (r = 0.70, p < 0.05). Furthermore, environmental health education variables (knowledge and exposure) jointly had a significant influence on sanitation practices, accounting for 58% of the variance (R² = 0.58), with exposure emerging as the stronger predictor. The study concluded that environmental health education plays a crucial role in improving sanitation practices among university students and recommended strengthening educational programs, increasing awareness campaigns, and improving sanitation facilities.