Influence Of Socio-Economic Factors In The Use Of Biomass Fuels In Enugu State, Nigeria

Isaiah Abonyi; Chinasa O. A. Amadi; Peter M. Eze; Obasi K. Ojo; Ede A. Okorie; Eric E. Okereke; Emmanuel U. Asogwa; Dominic O. Abonyi; Nnaemeka C. Ugwu; Augustine A. Nwazunku; Agwu N. Amadi

doi:10.54117/jcbr.v2i5.3

Authors

Isaiah Abonyi Department of Environmental Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus.
Chinasa O. A. Amadi Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Peter M. Eze Department of Environmental Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria
Obasi K. Ojo Department of Environmental Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria
Ede A. Okorie Department of Environmental Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria
Eric E. Okereke
Emmanuel U. Asogwa Department of Health Promotion, Environmental Health and Safety Education, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria
Dominic O. Abonyi Environmental Health Officers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON), Federal Ministry of Environment, Abuja, Nigeria
Nnaemeka C. Ugwu Radiology Department, Alliance Medical Limited, Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom
Augustine A. Nwazunku Department of Environmental Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria
Agwu N. Amadi Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54117/jcbr.v2i5.3

Keywords:

Biomass, cooking fuels, households, socio-economic factors

Abstract

Biomass fuels are used by a large proportion of households in most developing countries, including Nigeria, because they are readily available or relatively inexpensive. The purpose of this study was to determine how socioeconomic factors influence the use of biomass cooking fuels in Nigeria's Enugu State. The survey was cross-sectional, and multistage sampling was used. The samples included 502 respondents from 232 households in 6 of Enugu State's 17 Local Government Areas. The sample size was calculated using Fisher's formula. A structured questionnaire was distributed to the respondents, and observations were made. To arrive at results, data was collected and analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. According to the study, 94% of respondents use biomass fuels, with 73% using unprocessed wood. Only 6% of them use fossil fuels. Ninety-one percent (91%) of households earn less than N61,000 per month on average, with only about 1% earning more than N90,000 per month. It was also discovered that 88% of respondents had no more than a secondary school education, and 75% lived in rural areas. This study found a high level of poverty and a low level of education among the study population in Enugu State, which translates to a high use of biomass fuels, particularly unprocessed wood (firewood). The study's findings confirm that socioeconomic factors such as household income level, educational status, and so on influence greater use of biomass fuels when they are readily available and at little or no cost to the people.