Assessment of sociological indices affecting environmental pollution in Iwo, Nigeria

Abstract

Twelve sociological factors such as: gender, age, marital status, household size, religion, educational attainment, government influence, occupation, housing structure, culture, health issues, and period of residency at the survey location were assessed to evaluate their relative impacts on environmental pollution, in Iwo, Nigeria. Structured questionnaire was prepared and randomly administered to 257 households out of which 215 (83.65%) was completed and retrieved. Data obtained were subjected to descriptive and inferential (factor analysis) statistics. Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett tests showed factorability of data at p < 0.05 significant level. Factor Analysis (FA) ultimately recognized six (6) indices among the sociological factors as having eigenvalues above 1. The indices explained 65% of the total variance and are weighted as follows: household size (12.5%), marital status (11.4%), government influence (10.7%), religion (10.5%), culture (9.8%), and health issues (9.8%). These are essential indices to be explored when measuring sociological impacts on environmental pollution. That means, cultures that discourage pollution are to be identified and supported by relevant government policies and legislations.