Slum dwellers' occupational activities and health implications

Abstract

PurposeThe literature has acknowledged that good health is a crucial component of well-being. This study explores the country-specific understanding of slum dwellers' occupational activities and their environmental behavior.Design/methodology/approachUsing the environmentally responsible behavior model, the study utilized exploratory qualitative approach to purposely sample 35 respondents, who responded to health-related behaviors through in-depth interviews.FindingsFindings show that respondents are engaged in diverse socio-economic occupational activities such as selling of cooked and uncooked food in polythene bags, selling of sachet water and burning the waste generated from these activities in the slum environment. In addition, the study found specific occupational activities of masons, carpenters, tilers, salon beauticians, scrap dealers and unhygienic waste disposal in the slums. Finally, this study uncovered divided opinions in terms of respondents' environmental responsibility and awareness of environmental ramifications. Therefore, issues such as health hazards, unhealthy environment and soil deterioration are common at the slum dwellings.Research limitations/implicationsThe study findings and the conclusion drawn cannot be generalized to represent the entire population of slum dwellers in Ghana due to the qualitative methodology employed.Practical implicationsThis study revealed a country-specific understanding of the environmentally responsible behavior of slum dwellers based on their occupational activities, which can inform health policies.Originality/valueThe outcome of this study advanced contextual culturally specific understanding, concerning health-related behavior of slum dwellers, which is important to policymakers and practitioners in contexts.

External stakeholders in the governance of slums in Ghana

“…Inhabitants in the slums can contribute to the local assembly tax regime when their capacities are enhanced and livelihoods improved (Crush et al , 2019). Research has evidenced that slums undertake varied socio-economic activities such as petty trading, vocations and entrepreneurship (Preko et al , 2021). These activities tend to decrease unemployment rates among the slums and working-age individual job seekers that struggle to find work in the formal economy (Şahin et al , 2014).…”

Mediation Role of Intention in the Environmental Attitude-Behavior Relationship

“…This problem can be evidenced by the experiences of residents who go to the river to catch fish and find that aquatic life, such as fish, snails, and shrimp, dies due to poisoning caused by water pollution (He et al, 2022). It also affects the health of people who use the river as a source of drinking water, experiencing symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and headaches (Preko et al, 2021). Sadly, humans are often unaware that their actions are harming the environment.…”