Empirical Study of the Relationship Between Housing Conditions and Health Outcomes in Urban Slums of Kano State

The relationship between substandard housing conditions and adverse health outcomes is globally documented, but its empirical quantification in the urban slum context of Kano State, North West Nigeria, provides locally relevant evidence for housing improvement policy. This study empirically examined the relationship between housing conditions and selected health outcomes (respiratory disease, waterborne disease, malaria, and skin infections) in three urban slums of Kano: Fagge, Gwagwarwa, and Dorayi. A cross-sectional study design was adopted, with 300 households selected by systematic random sampling. Housing conditions were assessed using a composite Housing Quality Index measuring 15 physical and service indicators. Health data were collected through medical self-report and review of Community Health Centre records for the preceding 12 months. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between housing quality and health outcomes, controlling for household socioeconomic status, age distribution, and healthcare access. Results showed that respiratory disease incidence was significantly associated with low housing quality (OR = 3.8, 95% CI: 2.3 to 6.4, p < 0.001), attributed primarily to poor indoor ventilation and biomass cooking fuel use. Waterborne disease was strongly associated with absence of treated water access (OR = 5.2, p < 0.001). Malaria incidence was significantly higher in housing without window screening (OR = 2.9, p < 0.01). The study provides robust empirical evidence for health-based justification of housing improvement in Kano urban slums, and recommends targeted housing upgrading and water supply improvements as priority public health interventions. Keywords: housing conditions, health outcomes, urban slums, Kano State, Housing Quality Index