Analysis of the Health Status of Housing in Forest-mountain Villages and its Affecting Factors in the Eastern Region of Bandpey in Babol County

One component of human rights is suitable housing. Certainly after the air، food and clothing، suitable housing is among the most basic necessities for living with honor and human dignity and it is one the most important standards for a desirable living and a perquisite to achieve social justice.

This study is applied - developmental and the methodology is «descriptive - analytic». it aims to assess the health status of rural housing and the factors influencing it. The population of this research is the forest – mountainous villages in eastern region of Bandpey in Babol County. Among the 235 forest - mountain villages، 36 villages was chosen as the sample of the study based on systematic random sampling method. The data was collected through questionnaires، semi-deep interview and from health center. The data was analyzed by the use of Excel and the SPSS statistical software.

The results indicate that the major health challenges of the rural houses are mice and other harmful animals، not having a fire fighting capsule، the electrical and fire hazards and the unsanitary disposal of household waste are the most important home health variables that need special attention. The safety of roof and floor and the foundation of the building and the stairs guard، walls and windows are the second priority. The home lighting، kitchen، toilet، bathroom and garden area as well as the lack of an emergency door is the next priority. The economic factors (income)، occupation، education and the property status have direct and significant relationship with housing health and also the family size factors، distance from the city، distance from the road and the age have inverse and significant relationship with housing health. Research limitation: Data collection and lack of research resources about the topic of this research are the main challenges of this study. Practical implications: Institutional cooperation between the agencies involved in improving housing quality، enhancing economic power of rural household، increasing participation and awareness of rural villagers including practical implementation of practical programs of health promotion for rural housing. Original/value: This article investigated the health status of housing in forest-mountain villages which are in specific conditions، have been considered. This study can be helpful for national and local authorities، housing agencies، healthcare organizations and other institutions involved in rural health issues in general and housing health in particular.