Forest-degrading behaviour among a group of Nigerian farmers: an application of the health belief model

ABSTRACT This article investigates what predicts forest-clearing behaviour in Nigeria. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire among 320 randomly selected crop farmers in Afijio, Oyo state, in southwestern Nigeria. Stepwise, multiple linear regression was used to identify the predictors of forest-clearing behaviour. Six variables, derived from a health belief model, determined the prediction of forest-clearing. Results indicate that “perceived barriers’ was the best predictor. “Cues to action”, “perceived benefit” and “perceived severity” were also good predictors of forest-clearing behaviour. The four constructs correlated with behaviour and explained 20.2% of the variance. Robust perception of barriers to conserving forests and perceived benefit derivable from such conservation aggravates forest degradation. In contrast, the intensity of cues that stimulate forest conservation and the severity of peoples’ perception regarding the severity of forest clearing, alleviates forest-clearing. Thus, pursuing forest conservation while invoking these variables is promising for reducing forest-clearing in Nigeria.