Perception of health workers and assessment of tree spp. Composition in adeoyo general hospital, ibadan, oyo state

Abstract

Trees as a crucial component of forest play a vital role in providing a wide range of products and services including health benefits. The lack of information on tree species composition and diversity around public health care facilities in Ibadan may hinder comprehensive understanding of the ecological value and potential benefits that trees provide to the surrounding environment and public health care facilities. This study assessed the perceptions of health workers and evaluation of trees within the premises of Adeoyo General Hospital, Ibadan. Forty-nine (49) Structured questionnaire was used to derive the perceptions, while total enumeration of all the trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than or equal to 10 cm were identified and enumerated in the study area. Tables and percentages were used to analyze the perception of the health workers while data collected on dbh (cm) and total height (m) were used to compute basal area (m²) and volume (m³). The analysis of socio-demographic data revealed a higher representation of female health workers (61.2%), a concentration of professionals in the 30 to 39 age group (46.9%), and a predominant presence of married individuals with tertiary education. Examining health workers' perceptions, a significant consensus emerges on the positive effects of tree exposure. Workers believed that exposure to trees improve patient clinical outcomes, speeds up recovery, and boosts the immune system (42.9%). There is also recognition of the role of trees in reducing stress levels and enhancing focus for both patients and healthcare workers. The positive correlation between trees around healthcare facilities and increased staff satisfaction is noteworthy. In the study area, Azadirachta indica was the dominant tree species constituting 42.2% of the total population. Terminalia catappa and Gliricidia sepium are also of great significance. Mean diameter, height, basal area, and volume suggest a diverse forest with a wide range of tree sizes. Meliaceae dominated the families with 42.2% while other families like Fabaceae and Combretaceae also contributed to biodiversity and ecological significance. In DBH, Delonix regia had the highest value of 198.3cm while Newbouldia laevis had 15.1 cm as the lowest value. Antiaris africana and Azadirachta indica both had the maximum values of 19.8 m and 51.8 m³ in height and basal area respectively. Species diversity indices indicated a diverse forest ecosystem with 13 identified taxa and 64 individuals. The diversity index (Shannon-Wienner) of 1.89 - though it is low- is within the general limit for tropical forests. It is therefore recommended that integration and management of green spaces in healthcare facility design, development of employee wellness programs, promoting nature exposure, educational initiatives on the benefits of nature and economic valuation studies should be greatly considered.