OIL POLLUTION IN GOKANA: HOW PREGNANT WOMEN PERCEIVE THE HEALTH DANGERS

Abstract

This study investigated the attitudes of pregnant women toward the effects of oil spillage on pregnancy outcomes in Gokana, Rivers State, Nigeria. A community-based cross-sectional design was employed, involving 197 randomly selected pregnant women from the Mogho and Bodo communities, with 192 valid responses analyzed. Data were collected using a structured, 4-point Likert scale questionnaire, which demonstrated a reliability index of 0.85. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used for data analysis. Findings revealed that 79.2% of respondents exhibited negative attitudes, while only 20.8% displayed positive attitudes regarding the effects of oil spillage on pregnancy outcomes. Factors influencing these attitudes included type of accommodation, community of residence, occupation, cultural beliefs, age, level of awareness, education, economic status, and personal perceptions of environmental risks. The study concludes that most pregnant women in oil-polluted communities hold unfavorable attitudes toward the health risks of oil spillage. It recommends targeted behavioral and educational interventions to improve awareness and foster more positive health attitudes, which could contribute to better maternal and fetal outcomes.