Assessing health risks in the context of flooding in Kassala State of Sudan | |
| Author | Abbas, Haitham Bashier |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.DM-14-01 |
| Subject(s) | Health risk assessment--Sudan Floods--Sudan |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation, and Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. DM-14-01 |
| Abstract | Flood emergencies are commonly complicated by major public health risks, including disease outbreaks. Sudan in general and Kassala State in specific are subjected to repeated flood disasters and frequent disease outbreaks like malaria, diarrhea diseases and hemorrhagic fevers. The objective of this dissertation is to map out potential health hazards with risk and vulnerability analysis and work out risk reduction strategies in line with service interruption and the needs of the flood prone community. The study was designed to cover both health facilities and the community at the household level. It has been conducted in Aroma semi-urban and Tendellei rural settlements in Kassala State of Sudan. Different methods have been utilized to fulfill the set objectives. Health hazards were identified through experts’ opinions using the Analytic Hierarchy Process method, the risk of service interruption was calculated by developing a semi- quantitative risk assessment model, households’ flood and health vulnerability were assessed by calculating the composite vulnerability indices. Perception, knowledge, and practices were assessed via a household survey based on structured questionnaire. The main health risks related to flood have been identified as; water and vector borne diseases. The main direct factors were found to be high vector breeding and the ineffective emergency health care services. The leading root causes were the jeopardized physical and functional safety of the health facilities and the limited access to basic services. The risk of service interruption in the studied health centers was found to be moderate for all the health centers except one, which has a high risk. The rural households found to be more vulnerable to health risks while semi-urban households are more vulnerable to flood risk. Flood and health vulnerability were found to be positively correlated. This study has shown that factors like poverty and education directly affect the vulnerability of those communities. No difference was found between the two areas regarding their risk perception and was related to knowledge and level of education. The two areas are different in their level of knowledge, but does not relate to their practices. The existing policies need to be updated to tackle the root causes of vulnerability and to break the vicious circle of poverty, illiteracy, illness, vulnerability and the devastating risk impacts. Those root causes need to be managed through integrated risk, and multi-hazard approaches for more effectiveness and efficiency. People empowerment in term of capacity building, skills and active participation, is crucial for sustainable risk reduction efforts. This dissertation has added to the literature in the field of health risk and vulnerability assessment through both, modified and innovative methods and tools that suit the local context. The findings are comparable to other original research work. The area is under the high of flood-induced public health risks. The main risks are malaria diarrhea diseases beside the service interruption at the primary health care centers. All risks found to have common root factors of access, safe water, and communication. Integrated risk management approach is necessary to reduce peoples' vulnerability and enhance service provision and continuity. |
| Year | 2014 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. DM-14-01 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management (DM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Routray, Jayant K.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Visvanathan, Chettiyappan ;Ahmad, Mokbul Morshed;Paul, Bimal K. ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Ministry of Health, Sudan ; Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph. D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2014 |