Research Article
Awareness, Perception and Preventive Practices About Environmental Risk Factors Associated with Neurodegenerative Diseases Among Geriatric Patients in a Tertiary Hospital, Ibadan
Adejumo Mumuni*
,
Idowu Emmanuel Ayotomiwa
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
165-176
Received:
20 May 2025
Accepted:
17 June 2025
Published:
9 July 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.sjph.20251304.11
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Environmental risk factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) conditions, particularly among the elderly. In Nigeria, the elderly population is steadily increasing while there is limited information on awareness, perception and preventive practices regarding these environmental risks. Therefore, this study was conducted to document the awareness, perception and preventive practices about environmental risk factors associated with NDDs among the elderly attending geriatric clinic in a tertiary hospital, Ibadan. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the 217 consented elderly aged 60 years and above attending Chief Tony Anenih Geriatric Centre, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. A validated interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test with level of significant set at 0.05. Respondents’ mean age was 73.8±8.7 years, 61.3% were female, 59.4% had tertiary education while 78.8% were living in their own house. All (100%) had heard about neurodegenerative diseases while the three major environmental risk factors reported were heavy metal exposure (79.7%), pesticides exposure (74.2%) and households’ toxins (70.5%). The mean perception score was 7.7±1.3, 80.6% had positive perceptions about environmental risk factors associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Some of the preventive practices reported by the respondents were purchasing eco-friendly household products (59.9%) and the use of non-toxic households’ products (58.1%). The mean preventive practice score was 6.9±0.9, 60.2% engaged in unhealthy practices. Respondent’s ages (χ2 = 22.621; p=<0.001), house ownership (χ2 = 4.061; p=0.034) and perception regarding environmental risk factors (χ2 = 6.448; p=0.027) were associated with respondents’ preventive practices. The three major reported barriers against preventive practice were limited access to health resources (100.0%), physical limitation (64.6%) and lack of awareness of risks (53.5%). Majority of the respondents were aware and had positive perception about environmental risk factors associated with neurodegenerative diseases, but engaged in unhealthy preventive practices. There is need for interventions focusing on environmental risk reduction to mitigate the burden of neurodegenerative diseases among the elderly in Nigeria.
Abstract: Environmental risk factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) conditions, particularly among the elderly. In Nigeria, the elderly population is steadily increasing while there is limited information on awareness, perception and preventive practices regarding these environmental risks. Therefore, this study...
Show More
