DETERMINANTS OF ILLEGAL CRUDE OIL REFINING AND PERCEIVED HEALTH CONSEQUENCES ON THE RESIDENTS OF RIVERS EAST SENATORIAL DISTRICT, RIVERS STATE

This study investigated the determinants and perceived health consequences of illegal crude oil refining in Rivers East Senatorial District, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design. Eleven objectives, eleven research questions and four hypotheses guided the study. A sample of 393 respondents were drawn using a multistage sampling procedure. Data collection was done using a validated self-structured questionnaire with a Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.792. Data analysis was done in SPSS using descriptive statistics (percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (z-test and ANOVA, and Post Hoc Bonferroni). It was found that poverty emerged as the most powerful driver (aggregate x̄= 3.05 ± 0.45), followed by corruption (x̄= 2.95 ± 0.50, high) and lack of knowledge (mean = 2.84 ± 0.49), with easy access to oil pipelines also rated as an important determinant (x̄= 2.74 ± 0.51), while non-implementation of MOUs was perceived as a relatively weak determinant (x̄= 2.57 ± 0.53). Perceived health consequences of ICOR were widely accepted, with an aggregate mean of 3.10 ± 0.40, especially for risks linked to harmful air pollutants, soot-related immune weakening, respiratory problems, eye symptoms, waterborne diseases and long-term conditions such as cancer and reduced life expectancy. Gender and income had a significant influence on perceived health consequences of illegal crude oil refining (p0.05). it was recommended among others that security agencies should co-create community patrols and anonymous reporting with youth associations using mapped hotspots, and body worn cameras, to deter sabotage, cut fire risk, and build trust