The Impact of Coastal Forest Succession and the Healthcare Challenges in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The impact of coastal forest succession and the healthcare challenges was conduct in some selected oil communities in Eastern Obolo. The area was abandoned after severe environment devastation by Oil Company. The major objective of the study was to determine how successions by exotic plants, impacted on the healthcare need of the people. Questionnaires, structured group – discussion and field survey were used to obtained primary data from the field, while internet and library provided the secondary data. Three 25 x 25 cm plots with replicates were designed for recording of plants of 1.0 m in height. ANOVA was employed to determine the relationship between coastal succession and healthcare challenges of the people. From the result, it was observed that succession by Nypa fruticans and the extinction of the original plants were evidence. The soil analysis shows that the nutrients were relatively normal for mangrove ecosystem. Tidal actions, deforestation, pollution, channelization, rise in sea level and flooding were factors that facilitates succession (Xs). Loss of medicinal plants, loss of herbs, low income, proximity to healthcare centres and drugs availability/affordability were healthcare challenges indices (Y). The regression of the Xs and Y variables were significant at 0.05% probability test. It was concluded that loss of medicinal plants, herbs, inaccessibility of health facilities and low income due to succession by exotic Nypa fruticans constituted a serious health problems to the coastal people.