Socio-Cultural Barriers to Community Participation in Environmental Sanitation among Urban Residents in Port Harcourt Metropolis

Abstract

A clean and healthy environment is essential for sustainable urban living, yet community participation in environmental sanitation remains limited in many developing cities due to cultural and social constraints. This study investigated socio-cultural barriers to community participation in environmental sanitation among residents in Port Harcourt Metropolis. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed to collect data from a sample of 615 residents using a validated a self-structured questionnaire which has a reliability coefficient of 0.89. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation, alongside inferential statistics of regression were employed in data analysis. Findings revealed that the overall level of community participation in environmental sanitation was moderate (aggregate mean = 2.52, SD = 1.10) and that socio-cultural barriers moderately hindered participation (mean = 2.39, SD = 0.83). Additionally, weak involvement of traditional and religious leaders and entrenched gender norms were identified as contributing factors that limit collective participation. The regression analysis confirmed that socio-cultural variables significantly predicted community participation in environmental sanitation (R² = 0.218, F = 19.74, p < 0.05), although gender differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.317). Based on these findings, the study concludes that socio-cultural beliefs, gender roles, and lack of traditional leadership involvement contribute to the moderate level of participation in environmental sanitation in Port Harcourt Metropolis. Finally, the study recommended among others that government agencies and local leaders integrate cultural and religious institutions in sanitation awareness campaigns.