Assessment of Housing Conditions and Health Outcomes Among Low-Income Families in Kogi State

This study assesses the relationship between housing conditions and health outcomes among low-income families in Kogi State, North Central Nigeria. Inadequate housing characterised by overcrowding, poor ventilation, and lack of basic amenities exposes families to preventable diseases, making it a critical concern for Home Economics education. Using a descriptive survey design, the study targets 250 low-income household heads in Lokoja and Anyigba communities. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and an observation checklist evaluating housing parameters. Objectives include assessing prevailing housing conditions, identifying common health complaints among household members, and determining the correlation between housing quality indicators and reported health outcomes. Recent literature from North Central Nigeria links substandard urban housing conditions to increased incidence of respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases, and vector-borne illnesses. Data were analysed using mean scores, chi-square, and Spearman correlation. The Ecological Systems Theory anchors this study, contextualising individual health within the broader environmental and socioeconomic framework. Findings are anticipated to reveal a significant inverse relationship between housing quality and disease burden. Recommendations target the Kogi State Ministry of Housing, local government authorities, and Home Economics educators to develop community-level housing literacy and improvement programmes. Keywords: housing conditions, health outcomes, low-income families, Kogi State, environmental health.