THE IMPACT OF FUELWOOD SUPPLY ON THE NUTRITION AND HEALTH STATUS OF RURAL DWELLERS IN EKITI STATE...

In Ekiti State, Nigeria, the fast assessment approach was utilised to determine the influence of fuelwood supply on the nutrition and health status of rural people. Fuelwood sources and supplies were identified, as well as the species used and respondents' preferences. The frequency with which respondents cooked was determined. The relative abundance of the species that were recognised as being used or favoured was calculated. In each community, group interviews were performed to determine group consensus on the above-mentioned factors. Key informants were selected and questioned for secondary data on the fuelwood supply pattern, dweller nutritional status, and the link between fuelwood supply pattern and dweller nutritional status. The findings demonstrated that all of the respondents had a fuelwood mindset, and their socioeconomic status was not considered a necessary for their awareness. The use of fuelwood, which was largely obtained from the forest, was approved by 92 percent of the respondents. Other sources used have a lot of gross shortfalls. The species used for fuel is determined by proximity rather than species preference. During the research, a total of 54 tree and shrub species from 24 families were discovered to be used as fuel. Due to difficulty in obtaining fuelwood, some of the responders had reduced their cooking frequency. Carbohydrates were consumed in large quantities because dishes high in protein were thought to require more cooking time and thus more fuelwood. A survey of endangered foods in the research area was conducted and ranked, revealing that out of ten under-prepared foods, those ranked 1 to 4 were largely ignored due to their fuelwood requirements. Malaria was ranked as the most common ailment reported at health centres in the research area. The correlations between fuelwood scarcity and disease incidences were identified, and methods to improve the current situation were offered.

Please see the link :- https://www.ikprress.org/index.php/JOGAE/article/view/566