DOES IT MATTER WHERE I LIVE? COMPARING THE IMPACT OF HOUSING QUALITY ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT IN SLUM AND NON-SLUM AREAS IN GHANA

• Published in: International journal of child, youth & family studies IJCYFS Vol. 5; no. 3; pp. 375 - 393
• Main Authors: Braimah, Farouk Rabiu, Lawson, Elaine T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Victoria University of Victoria, Department of Linguistics 01-01-2014; University of Victoria
• Subjects: Access to education; Child development; Children; Children & youth; education; Ghana; Housing; non-slum; Parks & recreation areas; Physical characteristics; Quality; Recreation; Sanitation; Slums; Social services; Vulnerability
• ISSN: 1920-7298; 1920-7298
• DOI: 10.18357/ijcyfs.braimahfr.532014

Deteriorating physical characteristics and limited access to social services are said to typify a substantial number of the housing types in Ghana. The impact of these on vulnerable groups such as children remains largely unresearched. This paper comparesthe quality of houses in a slum (Old Fadama) and a non-slum (Asylum Down) community and its impacts on child development. Data was collected from 150 children between the ages of 9 and 17 years with the aid of semi-structured interviews. The findings showed housing quality was directly linked to income levels. Hence children in non-slum communities lived in better quality houses, had better access to sanitation services, and had better access to education and recreational facilities. The results served as the basis for a theoretical discussion and recommendations for improving child development through the provision of better quality houses, access to improved sanitation, and facilities for recreation.