Abstract: With the growth in mobile phone use, there has been inevitable increase and proliferation of mobile phone Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), accompanied by public concern for possible health impacts associated with exposure to Electromagnetic Waves (EMW) emanating from BTS. This survey was carried out to determine the awareness of inhabitants about the health problems associated with GSM Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) due to the exposure of people to EMW. The study area covers selected BTS in Buwaya, Gonin Gora and Maraba Rido in Chikun local government area; and Kakuri in Kaduna south local government area. These sample areas were selected due to the high population density. A sample size of 400 was selected randomly based on the literacy level of the respondents. Data was collected from respondents through structured questionnaire. The data collected was analysed using tables of frequency and percentages, and bar charts. A test of statistic was conducted with Chi Square test. The results showed that about 78.5% have no knowledge of electromagnetic radiation and its consequences on human health; and the Chi Square test based on the respondent’s duration of living near BTS showed that EMR affects human health. However, no medical tests were carried out to confirm the claims by respondents and the result of the study was based on what the respondents reported.
Keywords: Base Transceiver Station or Base Transmitter Station (BTS), Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR), Electromagnetic Wave (EMW), Global System of Mobile Telecommunication (GSM), Antenna, Radio Signals.
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DOI:
10.17148/IJARCCE.2020.9904
