THE EFFECT OF OPEN AIR BURNING ON THE RESPIRATORY HEALTH OF OCCUPANTS OF ST. PETER'S HOSTEL, MADONNA UNIVERSITY NIGERIA, ELELE

TOPIC: THE EFFECT OF OPEN AIR BURNING ON THE RESPIRATORY HEALTH OF OCCUPANTS OF ST. PETER'S HOSTEL, MADONNA UNIVERSITY NIGERIA, ELELE

THIS TOPIC IS ALSO SUITABLE FOR: 
1. Environmental Health Science Department

2. Public Health Department

3. Environmental Management Department

4. Community Health Department

This research material contains:

1-Chapter One to Five

2-Recent References/citations

3-Tables/Charts/Graphs in Chapter Four

4-Accurate Data Analysis

5-Table of Contents

6-Questionnare

ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to examine the effect of open-air burning on the respiratory health of occupants of St. Peter's Hostel, Madonna University Nigeria, Elele. The study was specifically carried out to assess the sources of open-air burning around St. Peter's Hostel at Madonna University Nigeria, examine the level of exposure to smoke from open-air burning among occupants of St. Peter's Hostel, determine the effect of exposure to open-air burning on the respiratory health of occupants of St. Peter's Hostel, and identify the measures adopted to reduce exposure to smoke from open-air burning among occupants of St. Peter's Hostel. The study employed the descriptive research design. Hence, the questionnaire was used for data collection, while the data collected were analyzed using frequency tables and percentages. The study population consists of occupants of St. Peter's Hostel. A total of 223 respondents were selected as sample size using Taro Yamane formula, while multi-stage sampling technique involving stratified and convenience sampling methods was adopted for the selection of respondents. The participants consist of occupants of St. Peter's Hostel, Madonna University Nigeria, Elele. From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed that burning of dry leaves and vegetation, waste materials from nearby residential areas, and organic materials were major sources of open-air burning around the hostel environment, with 67.3% of respondents agreeing that burning of dry leaves and vegetation was a common source. The study also revealed that occupants experienced considerable exposure to smoke from open-air burning, as 65.4% of respondents agreed that they were frequently exposed to smoke generated from burning activities around the hostel. The study further showed that exposure to open-air burning affected the respiratory health of occupants, as 63.5% of respondents agreed that exposure to smoke caused breathing difficulties, while 61.5% reported coughing associated with smoke exposure. The study revealed that occupants adopted preventive measures such as avoiding burning areas, maintaining proper ventilation, and supporting practices that discourage open-air burning, with 65.4% indicating that they avoided areas where burning activities occurred. The study therefore recommends that the university management should strengthen waste disposal systems, enforce regulations against uncontrolled open-air burning, and create environmental health awareness programmes to reduce smoke exposure and protect the respiratory health of hostel occupants.

Keywords: Open-air Burning, Respiratory Health, Smoke Exposure, Hostel Occupants, Madonna University.

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION (Preview)
1.1 Background to the Study
Air quality is a key pillar of environmental health, as the composition of the atmosphere directly impacts human health, ecological sustainability and socioeconomic productivity. Air quality breathed on a daily basis depends on the natural phenomena and anthropogenic activities which emit gaseous pollutants and suspended particulate matter to the environment. Air pollution is an environmental health issue that has gained significant importance because of its wide impact on human population and living environment as stated by Ayomide and Alabi-Lawal (2023). Likewise, Santos et al. (2021) stated that airborne contaminants have the potential to disrupt normal respiratory function by constantly inhaling harmful particles and gases. Garcia et al. (2021) also reported evidence of lung function changes from polluted air in various populations, especially in areas with sustained high levels of pollutants. This general connection between environment quality and human health provides the basis to explore individual emission sources that can affect respiratory health in homes.

Open air burning, which is the burning of refuse, vegetation, household waste, agriculture waste and other combustible materials in open areas without emission control technologies, is one important factor contributing to the deterioration of air quality. Open burning produces large amounts of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and many toxic combustion products that are released to the surrounding communities as per Chanana et al. (2023). Gordon et al. (2023) noted that emissions from residential biofuel combustion, open burning of biomass and waste combustion can lead to high ambient levels of fine particulate matter, which can travel long distances before settling to the ground. Kim et al. (2021) also reported that combustion-related PM is composed of chemically reactive compounds that are able to trigger inflammatory responses after inhalation. Similarly, Manrique et al. (2025) found that recurrent exposure to biomass burning smoke is an environmental factor of great importance in the context of respiratory health for the exposed population, thus connecting atmospheric emissions with daily human activities.

Open air burning releases many pollutants that can enter the indoor and outdoor breathing environment when people constantly inhale the smoke, and can influence respiratory health. Adah et al. (2023) reported that biomass smoke produced in the home can reach levels that can impact the health of the people living in the home, especially if ventilation is not sufficient. Ngaram and Sulyman (2021) also reported that smoke exposure in the household due to combustion activities is a risk factor for respiratory symptoms in the exposed population. The benefits of exposure reduction interventions are highlighted by the study by Woolley et al. (2022), which found that interventions to reduce exposure to smoke from solid biomass combustion have measurable positive effects on maternal and child respiratory outcomes. Akande et al. (2023) also noted that indoor environmental quality is still tightly coupled to the health and wellbeing of the residents as pollutants entering the indoor space can stay long enough to expose them to more inhalation. In this context, Pajot et al. (2024) found that urban residents exposed to air pollution have measurable respiratory effects, further linking environmental emissions to respiratory health.

The relationship between air quality, combustion emissions and respiratory health is well established and is the right starting point to consider the residential environment where occupants may be exposed to frequent smoke. Open air burning is still happening in Nigerian communities with different forms of disposal of domestic waste, vegetation clearing and combustion of biomass, which generates localized atmospheric emissions (Adewale et al., 2021; Yetu et al., 2025). Bawa and Ismaila (2025) argued that the need for acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ) to ensure the protection of public health within residential buildings is still important as pollutants from outside are often drawn into occupied buildings. This role is especially relevant to the university hostels where a large number of students live together in a common environment and are constantly exposed to the environment. In this context, the present study aims to look at the sources of open air burning around St. Peter's Hostel, Madonna University Nigeria, Elele, ascertain level of smoke exposure of the occupants, determine the impact of the smoke on the respiratory health of the occupants and the measures adopted to reduce exposure in the hostel residential environment.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The use of open air burning in residential and institutional settings has been growing and has remained a concern due to implications for environmental quality and respiratory health. During combustion of refuse, vegetation and other combustibles, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and other airborne contaminants are released that can stay in the air for long periods. Open burning is one of the significant sources of emission that affects ambient air quality (Chanana et al., 2023). Gordon et al. (2023) also found that biomass burning emissions significantly increase fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels, which are linked to negative health impacts. While the link between combustion emissions and respiratory health has been increasingly studied worldwide, the chronic exposure in university residential environments has not been adequately investigated, especially when students are exposed to hostel environments for a longer period of time.

Exposure to smoke from open air burning has been linked to respiratory irritation, decreased pulmonary function and other respiratory symptoms in exposed populations. Garcia et al. (2021) described how breathing in polluted air can lead to measurable decreases in lung function, and Santos et al. (2021) noted that inhaling pollutants in the air for long periods can lead to an increase in the incidence of respiratory diseases. In the same way, Adah et al. (2023) reported that pollutants in biomass burning smoke can impact human health, especially in the domestic setting where people are exposed on a regular basis. Akande et al. (2023) also determined that the indoor environmental quality is closely related to the health of occupants as pollutants from the outside often invade the buildings during occupancy. While these findings illustrate the health consequences of smoke exposure, the extent of exposure to which the St. Peter's Hostel residents were exposed to and how this exposure related to respiratory health is not well documented.

Open air burning remains a traditional way of disposing of wastes and managing vegetation in many communities in Nigeria, which means that there are more chances for people to be repeatedly exposed to smoke. According to Ayomide and Alabi-Lawal (2023), air pollution is a chronic environmental health problem that needs constant attention, while Adewale et al. (2021) noted that emissions from combustion activities have a significant impact on the surrounding air quality. Yetu et al., (2025) also pointed out the persistent respiratory effects of air pollution in Nigeria. There is, however, little empirical evidence that describes the nature of the open air burning around St. Peter's Hostel, how much the occupants are exposed to the smoke and what they do to protect themselves from inhaling the smoke. This knowledge gap has necessitated the present study as it will afford the location specific evidence on sources of open air burning, level of exposure, respiratory health effects and preventive measures adopted by the occupants of St. Peter's Hostel, Madonna University Nigeria, Elele. This evidence will be used to inform environmental health planning, decision making within institutions, and smoke reduction in the University residential environment.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to analyze the  effect of open air burning on the respiratory health of occupants of St. Peter's Hostel, Madonna University Nigeria, Elele.

Specific objectives are:

1.Assess the sources of open-air burning around St. Peter's Hostel at Madonna University Nigeria.

2.Examine the level of exposure to smoke from open-air burning among occupants of St. Peter's Hostel

3.Determine the effect of exposure to open-air burning on the respiratory health of occupants of St. Peter's Hostel.

4.Identify the measures adopted to reduce exposure to smoke from open-air burning among occupants of St. Peter's Hostel.

Other parts of chapter one include:
1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Significance of the Study

1.6 Scope of the Study

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE (Preview)
This chapter critically examines relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and, furthermore, recognizes the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps. This chapter therefore focuses on the overview of open-air burning, prevalence of open-air burning in Nigeria, sources of open-air burning around the university environment in Nigeria, level of exposure to open air burning among university students in Nigeria, etc. The chapter is sub-grouped into the following major headings:
Conceptual Framework

Theoretical Framework

Empirical Review

Summary of Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY (Preview)
Presented below is a snapshot of key areas of the study methodology, the full and detail chapter three methodology is contained in the instant download document.

Research Design: The study adopted a quantitative research approach.

Population of the Study: The population of the study comprises occupants of St. Peter's Hostel, Madonna University Nigeria, Elele.

Sample Size Determination: The study adopted the Taro Yamane formula to determine a sample size of 223 participants.

Sampling Technique: The study employed a multi-stage sampling technique involving stratified and convenience sampling methods to select the individual respondents.

Research Instrument: The study utilized a structured questionnaire titled “Effect of Open-Air Burning on the Respiratory Health of Occupants of St. Peter's Hostel, Madonna University Nigeria, Elele” as the instrument for data collection.

Methods of Data Analysis: The collected data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages to summarize and present the demographic characteristics of the respondents and their opinions. The data were analyzed using SPSS, and the results were presented in tables, charts, and graphs.
Full outline for chapter three;
3.1 Research Design

3.2 Research Setting

3.3 Target Population

3.4 Sample Size

3.5 Sampling Technique

3.6 Instruments For Data Collection

3.7 Validity and Reliability of Instrument

3.8 Pilot Study

3.9 Method of Data Collection

3.10 Method Of Data Analysis

3.11 Ethical considerations

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS
MAJOR FINDINGS (Preview)
The analysis results were presented in tables and charts. Based on the results obtained from the analysis, the following major findings were made:

i. The study found that open-air burning around St. Peter’s Hostel comes from identifiable sources, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.45, with item means ranging from 3.09 to 3.76, above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00. This implies that the burning of dry leaves, refuse, waste from nearby residential areas and fallen branches contributes to open-air burning around the hostel.

ii. The study found that the level of exposure to smoke from open-air burning among occupants of St. Peter’s Hostel is moderate to high, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.43, with item means ranging from 3.03 to 3.76, above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00. This implies that occupants frequently notice smoke, and that it enters their rooms and affects their comfort.

iii. The study found that exposure to smoke from open-air burning has an adverse effect on the respiratory health of the occupants, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.38, with item means ranging from 3.07 to 3.69, above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00. This implies that occupants experience breathing difficulties, coughing and throat irritation as a result of exposure to the smoke.

iv. The study found that occupants adopt measures to reduce their exposure to smoke from open-air burning, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.40, with item means ranging from 3.02 to 3.75, above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00. This implies that occupants avoid burning areas, ventilate their rooms and support practices that discourage open-air burning, although reporting of burning activities is low.

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
This chapter covers the following outline:

5.1 Discussion of Findings    

5.2 Implication of the findings

5.3 Limitations of the Study

5.4 Summary

5.5 Conclusion

5.6 Recommendations

5.7 Suggestions for Further Studies

Reference
Appendix

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