Association of Sociodemographic Characteristics and Lifestyle Factors among Nigerian Women (18–60 Years) Based on Settlement Backgrounds

Sociodemographic characteristics such as age, education, income, marital status, and occupation significantly influence lifestyle behaviors among women. These factors vary across settlement types (urban, suburban, and rural), shaping health outcomes and accessibility to healthcare. This study aimed to evaluate the association between sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle factors among Nigerian women aged 18–60 years across different settlement types. A cross-sectional study involving 669 women (rural = 206, suburban = 219, urban = 244) was conducted in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Associations were tested using chi-square statistics at p ≤ 0.05. Significant associations were observed between settlement and birth season (p = 0.001), marital status (p = 0.001), age at marriage (p = 0.001), education (p = 0.001), occupation (p = 0.001), and BMI (p = 0.001). Lifestyle factors, including general health perception (p = 0.001), meal frequency (p = 0.001), exercise (p = 0.001), and alcohol consumption (p = 0.001), also varied significantly. No significant association was found for smoking (p = 0.669). Settlement significantly influences both sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Targeted public health interventions are required to address disparities across rural, suburban, and urban populations.

Key Words: Sociodemography, lifestyle, settlement, Nigerian women, public health