文章基本信息

标题：Floods and health in Gambella region, Ethiopia: a qualitative assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of coping mechanisms
本地全文：下载
作者：Samson Wakuma Abaya ; ) Lund University Master's Programme in Environmental Studies ; Sustainability Science (LUMES) 等
期刊名称：Global Health Action
印刷版ISSN：1654-9716
电子版ISSN：1654-9880
出版年度：2009
卷号：2
期号：0
DOI：10.3402/gha.v2i0.2019
语种：English
出版社：Taylor & Francis
摘要：Background: Floods are the most frequent and devastating type of natural disaster worldwide, causing unprecedented deaths, diseases, and destruction of property and crops. Flooding has a greater impact in developing countries due to lack of sufficient disaster management structures and a lack of economic resources. Objective: This study was conducted with the aim of contributing to the knowledge base of development strategies that reduce flood-related health risks in developing countries. The study focused particularly on assessing the flood risks and health-related issues in the Gambella region of Ethiopia; with the intent of producing relevant information to assist with the improvements in the efficacy of the current flood coping strategies in the region. Methods: Data were gathered through interviews with 14 officers from different government and nongovernmental organizations and a questionnaire survey given to 35 flood victims in Itang woreda. A qualitative approach was applied and the data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: It was found that flooding is a common problem in Gambella region. The findings also indicate that the flood frequency and magnitude has increased rapidly during the last decade. The increase in floods was driven mainly by climate change and changes in land use, specifically deforestation. The reported main impacts of flooding on human health in Gambella region were deaths, injuries, and diseases such as malaria and diarrhea. Another notable consequence of flooding was crop destruction and subsequent malnutrition. Conclusions: Three weaknesses that were identified in the current coping strategies for flood-related health impacts in Gambella region were a lack of flood-specific policy, absence of risk assessment, and weak institutional capacity. This study recommends new policy approaches that will increase the effectiveness of the current flood coping strategies to sustainably address the impact of flooding on human health. Keywords: floods; health risks; coping mechanism; preparedness; capacity; impacts (Published: 28 October 2009) Citation: Global Health Action 2009. DOI: 10.3402/gha.v2i0.2019
关键词：Public Health;Floods; Health risks; Coping mechanism; Preparedness; Capacity; Impacts;Climate change and health