DOI: 10.32328/turkjforsci.1817618 ISSN: 2618-6616

Physiological and psychological responses before and after nature contact: Evidence from recreation centres in Delta state, Nigeria

Kesiena Ogeh, Patience Emilimor, Otega Ekokogbe, Ewoma Ogbinaka
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The study assessed the beneficial outcomes of contact with the natural environment on human health and well-being. Three recreation centres were purposively selected; Shiloh beach, Eku; McCarthy Beach, Abraka in Ethiope East local government area; and Nelson Mandela Gardens, Asaba in Oshimili South local government area in Delta State, Nigeria. Forty recreation visitors were randomly selected in each park; and 120 respondents were sampled. One hundred and twenty copies of questionnaires were administered to recreation visitors. Information on categories of recreation visitors, reasons for visiting, stress level, blood pressure, pulse rate, human body temperature of recreation visitors were determined. Information on indoor and outdoor activities and trees in the recreation centres were also provided. Stress level was determined with questionnaire using a 4-likert scale. Blood pressure and pulse rate; and human body temperature were determined with the aid of sphygmomanometre and infrared digital thermometre respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as tables, percentage, frequencies, mean, mode, median and graphs. Relaxation was the major reason for visiting Shiloh beach (75%), McCarthy beach (67.5%) and Nelson Mandela gardens (98%). The recreation visitors in Shiloh beach are all nature-based visitors; in McCarthy beach (72.5%) and Nelson Mandela gardens (55%). Before and after spending 2 hours in the three recreation centres, nature impact stress level of recreation visitors positively; there were decrease in average systolic blood pressure in mmHg (from 126, 139, 130 to 122, 129, 130) and increase/decrease in diastolic blood pressure in mmHg (from 76, 86, 87 to 77, 86, 80), increase in average pulse rate in bpm (from 77, 87, 81 to 83, 92, 82) and decrease in average human body temperature in °C (from 33, 36, 36 to 32, 35, 35). It is observed from the study that contact with nature has impact on human health.

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