THE RISK FACTORS IN THE HOSTELS

THE RISK FACTORS IN THE HOSTELS
ABSTRACT 
This study is designed to find out the risk factors in the hostels, with the opinions of University of Benin undergraduate hostel residents as a case study.          
In carrying out the study, one hundred and fifty (150) copies of questionnaire designed by the researcher, and approved by the supervisor of this research, were administered to one hundred and fifty (150) students randomly selected from the five (5) halls of residence in the University of Benin (thirty (30)for each hall of residence). Simple percentages and frequencies were used for the analysis of data.  The main findings were as follows: 
1.     Almost half of the University of Benin hostel residents defecate and dispose the faeces indiscriminately in or around the hostels. 
2.     Majority (78.6%) of University of Benin students in the hostel cook in their rooms. 
3.     Almost half (40%) of University of Benin students use prohibited high voltage electrical appliances. 
4.     Poor stress management or coping mechanisms is a problem of some of the University of Benin students in the hostels.
5.     University of Benin hostel residents are more susceptible to falls and fire accidents than any other type of accidents. 
6.     University of Benin student hostel rooms are poorly ventilated, and are overcrowded. 
7.     Majority of the University of Benin students in the hostels choose to ignore and neglect safety practices in the hostels, even when they are fully aware of the risks it puts them. 
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
It has been identified through research that building maintenance has been the most neglected field of building technology, precisely in most of our governmental policy formation and execution. This situation is reflected in the maintenance operations of housing stocks in the various tertiary institutions of higher learning in Nigeria today. Most regrettably therefore, is the state of apathy and decline in the attitude towards government schools building maintenance? By and large every tertiary institutional building whether old or new requires maintenance for a maximum durability, performance and realization of its value, since hostels constitute stringent part of school’s valuable assets providing learners with a conducive environment for learning and leisure. Before now the accommodation of students within their immediate school environment of study had always been part of the integral part of the design and layout of tertiary institutions in Nigeria. These arrangements no doubt stimulates team and communal spirit among students and enhances learning which is better served by the proximity of classrooms, libraries to hostels (Daily Champions, 2004). However, with the rapid increase in student population and the ever-dwindling resources of tertiary institutions, coupled with government misplacement of priority and lack of vision in policy formation and execution, desirable practices and arrangement is no longer fully tenable nor attainable. Given this situation, Institutional hostels could no longer cope with the population of students which led to an unacceptable level of overcrowding stress on existing facilities, incessant breakdown of services and the promotion of cultism and other vices.