Perceived beneficial impact of community trees on residents’ physical health condition and mental wellbeing in Oluyole Forest Environment, Nigeria

Abstract

Many studies had investigated the utilization of various parts of forest trees for medicinal treatment of health challenges, but notwithstanding, there is a rise in physical and mental instability among many people, especially nasal congestion, respiratory diseases, and central nervous system disorders. Hence, this study assessed the perceived beneficial impact of community trees on residents’ physical and mental well-being in the selected study area. A three-stage procedure was employed for sampling of the study, with the 1st stage being a purposive selection of 4 wards selected from 10 wards in Oluyole Municipality because the 4 wards possessed a greater population of rural dwellers than the remaining 6 wards. The 2nd stage was systematic selection of houses from each ward, and the 3rd stage was a random selection of 2 household heads from selected houses with a final sample size of 82 respondents. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain data for the study. Data was analyzed with frequencies, percentages, chi square, PPMC and linear regression. The majority of household heads were mostly male (72.0%), of active age (67.6%), had tertiary education (61.0%), were indigenous (64.6%), and about 46.3% practiced farming as their major occupation. Different tree species were identified, with most residents having benefited and agreeing to their impact on their health. The ethnicity (χ²=5.109) and land acquisition (χ²=8.064) had significant association with the perceived impact of trees on residents’ health at α=0.05. In addition, age and marital status were extant factors that influenced the dependent variable. Policy instruments of government through incentives to residents’ participation in conservation practices and clogging sharp practices of government officials would suffice for optimal benefits of community trees.