The Aetiology of Ill Health Among Urban Slum Communities in Nigeria: A Systematic Review
Abstract
Oluwasayo A Olatunde and Olusola A Olufemi
Background: The UN-Habitat reported that about 65% of Nigeria's urban population lives in slums, while millions are without access to basic amenities including clean water, sanitation, and adequate housing. The impact of slum environments on specific diseases has also been documented, highlighting a need to review the causes in a single study and provide a comprehensive understanding of current issues.
Methods: This study utilized the PRISMA protocol to systematically review the literature on the causes and challenges of ill health among Nigerian slum communities. Research articles were sourced from Africa-Wide Information, Cochrane Library, Global Health, and PubMed databases. 22 articles, which met the inclusion criteria were included in the final review.
Result: Nigeria is experiencing the proliferation of slum settlements in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Kano, and Port Harcourt. Ill health conditions were linked to high population density, poor sanitation and waste management, lack of basic amenities including clean water, high poverty rate, poor education, and drug abuse. Cholera, malaria, tuberculosis, respiratory infections, and diarrheal were common diseases further exacerbated by socioeconomic and infrastructural limitations to access formal healthcare services.
Conclusions: Effective intervention strategies are urgently needed to mitigate health challenges and improve the well-being of slum populations.