Water accessibility challenges, and implications on children in rural border communities of Oyo-Kwara state, Nigeria.

Subject and purpose of work: This study examined water accessibility challenges, and the implications on children in rural border communities of Nigeria. Materials and methods: Primary data were used, and children (5-16 years) were respondents to the interview and questionnaire. Results: The study revealed there were more male children (58%) than female children (42%) and many of them were in the age bracket 11–15 years with about (53.9%) of them without formal education. The results further revealed that 69.9% of the respondents indicated that their major source of water is a stream and river. Also, the majority of the respondents (71%) trek long distances and (82.9%) spend more than 30 minutes travelling to collect water in distant villages especially during the dry season. This situation usually takes them away from their education and even affect their school attendance. Conclusions: The study recommended the need for the equitable provision of an improved water supply and ensure children are secured in collecting water for their households.

研究主题与研究目的：本研究聚焦尼日利亚边境农村社区的取水可达性困境，以及该困境对当地儿童的影响。材料与方法：本研究采用原始数据，调研对象为5至16岁的儿童，通过访谈与问卷收集相关信息。研究结果：研究显示，受访儿童中男性占比58%，女性占比42%；多数儿童处于11至15岁年龄段，且约53.9%的儿童未接受正规教育。研究还显示，69.9%的受访者表示，其主要取水来源为溪流与河流。此外，71%的受访儿童需长途跋涉取水，82.9%的受访者表示，在旱季前往偏远村庄取水时，耗时超过30分钟。此种取水负担往往挤占儿童的学习时间，甚至干扰其正常到校出勤。研究结论与建议：本研究建议，应公平配置并提供改良型供水服务，同时保障儿童为家庭取水过程中的人身安全。