Psychological Determinants of Household Energy Optimization Practices Among Women in Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the psychological determinants of household energy optimization practices among women in Katsina State, Nigeria. Two research objectives with corresponding research questions, and six null hypotheses, three for each research question guided the study. A mixed-methods research design, specifically the convergent parallel approach, was adopted. The population comprised approximately 3.68 million women residing in households across Katsina State. A sample size of 460 household women was selected using multistage stratified random sampling techniques. Data were collected using the Women Energy Optimization Questionnaire (WEOQ) and a Focus Group Discussion Guide. The instruments were validated by three experts, while the reliability of the questionnaire was established using Cronbach’s Alpha, yielding an overall reliability coefficient of 0.84. Reliability of qualitative instrument was achieved through member checking. Quantitative data were analysed using mean, standard deviation, and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), while qualitative data were analysed using thematic content analysis. The findings revealed that women were moderately motivated, and exhibited a positive attitude toward energy optimization practices and demonstrating low perceived behavioural control. Furthermore, the findings showed that demographic variables such as age, income and education had varying influences on motivation and attitude toward household energy optimization, while perceived behaviour was not significantly influenced by demographic factors. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that: government and relevant agencies should intensify culturally sensitive and community-based awareness campaigns to improve women’s knowledge and practice of household energy optimization, particularly among women with lower educational backgrounds.