Contributing effects of formal education acquisition and marital status on environmental literacy of market women in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the contributing effects of formal education acquisition and marital status on environmental literacy of market women in Ibadan, Nigeria. A quantitative research design was adopted for the study and four hundred and three (403) market women were randomly selected in different markets in Ibadan. An adapted survey item) was pilot-tested among female artisans and Cronbach’s coefficients of .947, .70 and .766 were obtained for the three components of environmental literacy namely; environmental knowledge, attitude and behaviour respectively. Data collected from retrieved questionnaires from respondents in the study were analyzed using inferential statistics of two-tailed t-test. Results of the analysis revealed that there exists a significant difference in environmental Knowledge between Market Women who had no formal education and those that had a formal education but there was no significant difference in environmental attitude and behaviour among market women who had no formal education and formal education. It was further revealed that while there was no statistically significant difference in environmental knowledge and attitude among single and married market women, there exists a significant difference in environmental behaviour among single and married market women. Hence, it was recommended that basic education acquisition should be made compulsory for all and married market women and they should be sensitized on the need to be environmentally conscious in their behaviour.

Keywords: Formal Education; Marital Status; Environmental Literacy; Market Women; Ibadan