An Analysis of Knowledge on and Responses to Climate Change Induced Health Hazards: the Case of Mt Darwin District in Zimbabwe B
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An Analysis of Knowledge on and Responses to Climate Change Induced Health Hazards: The Case of Mt Darwin District in Zimbabwe By Margaret Tawodzera 2014167510 Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree Masters in Disaster Management In the Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa At the UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE Study Leader: Mrs Alice Ncube. 2016 Declaration of Originality I, Margaret Tawodzera, hereby present for consideration by the Disaster Risk Management Training and Education Centre for Africa (DIMTEC) within the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) my dissertation in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master’s in Disaster Management. I sincerely declare that this dissertation is the product of my own efforts and that no other person has published a similar study from which I might have copied and at no stage will this work be published without my consent and that of the Disaster Risk Management Training Education Centre for Africa (DIMTEC). Views, opinions and proposals expressed herein should be attributed to the author and not to the Disaster Risk Management Training and Education Centre for Africa. Name: ___________________________________________________ Signature: ___________________________________________________ Date: ___________________________________________________ Page | ii Abstract The study examined household knowledge and responses to climate change induced health hazards in Mt Darwin District, Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe. Establishing the extent to which local communities understand climate change and related health hazards, and their responses, is profoundly important for effective disaster management strategies. The study was situated within the social capital theory contextualised in disaster management and emphasised on the importance of knowledge and skills that are constructed through social relationships, networks and interactions. Emphasis was built on valuable information gained and shared among social networks and groups principled on trust, norms, values, sociability and reciprocity. A mixed method approach of research was used to assess the extent of knowledge and perceptions relating to climate change health hazards and the actions being undertaken by the households to avert these hazards. Quantitative and qualitative analysis was employed on data collected using a structured questionnaire and drawn from a total of 210 households in 10 wards in Mt Darwin. A total of 204 questionnaires were completed for analysis. The sample was drawn using the random sample approach from Mt Darwin District. Climate change is a diverse topic where households view climate change as increasing intensity in rainfall, unusual rainfall patterns, prolonged dry spells, erratic rains, and increasing wind speed. While only 38% of the respondents were not aware of climate change, only 7% of the households correctly identified climate change as caused by both natural and manmade forces. About 89% of the respondents indicated that hazards are occurring mainly because of meteorological and hydrological causes. The study further found that climate change knowledge is not influenced by the conventional forces that are age groups, gender, education and past experience of climate related hazards. Further, the majority of households were not taking action against climate change hazards. The findings largely cement those that were established in other studies. The study therefore recommends education and awareness programmes to deepen community understanding of climate change. The programs should consider all age groups, gender and be inclusive of all people regardless of whether they have previously experienced some hazards or not. However, programs to strengthen people’s sharing of local level information as identified in the study should be put in place, promoting sharing of the information through social networks and community information channels. Despite the communities having some knowledge gaps and lacking deep understanding of pathways of how climate change alters health outcomes and some critical responses; there Page | iii were pockets of vital information within the Mt Darwin community that can be useful in local oriented disaster risk management initiatives. Page | iv Dedication To my two sons (Ryan and Chrislee), my daughter (Princess), and my entire family, for the endurance and understanding whilst I worked away from home and undertook this study. To my late husband Maxwell, I know you would have been very proud seeing me successfully complete this project. Page | v Acknowledgements The researcher is very grateful to everyone who made this study a success. Special mention and appreciation however goes to the following people who offered me their support tirelessly throughout my research: My study supervisor, Ms Alice Ncube who provided implausible leadership and guidance throughout the period of my research. Special mention also goes to all DIMTEC staff who offered me immense support throughout the course of this study. Mr Admire Mutizwa who also provided guidance and support as l went through the different challenging steps especially as l began my journey in conducting this research and the final steps of data analysis. My two sons (Ryan and Chrislee) and daughter (Princess), for understanding when I could not be there for them as their only parent and had to study and also to my father who gave me moral support and believed in me till the end. To my Director Mr Goldberg Mangwadu and my Deputy Director Mr Victor Nyamandi and also special mention to Mrs Dorcas Hadzisi all working under the Ministry of Health and Child Care who supported me all the way as l tried to balance between work and study. To all of them l would like to say thank you. To all my dear friends and colleagues at the Ministry of Health and Child Care for sharing their thoughts and materials that made this study a success. To my three ever energetic team members who helped me with the field work; Blessing Dodzo, Mercy Machona and Ashley Musoni many thanks for helping me with the data collection. Page | vi INDEX Declaration of Originality .......................................................................................................... ii Abstract .....................................................................................................................................iii Dedication .................................................................................................................................. v Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ............................................................................................................................. x List of Figures ........................................................................................................................... xi List of Boxes ............................................................................................................................ xii Definition of Key Terms .........................................................................................................xiii Acronyms ................................................................................................................................. xv CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ................................................. 1 1.1 Background ........................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Climate Change .................................................................................................. 2 1.2.1 Global Overview .................................................................................... 2 1.2.2 Climate change in Zimbabwe ................................................................. 3 1.3 Health and Climate Change ............................................................................... 7 1.3.1 Effects of Extreme Storms, floods and droughts.................................... 8 1.3.2 Heat waves Increase Death and Illness .................................................. 9 1.3.3 Air pollution ......................................................................................... 10 1.3.4 Vector borne infections ........................................................................ 10 1.3.5 Water security ...................................................................................... 11 1.3.6 Food security, hunger and malnutrition ............................................... 11 1.3.7 Mental health ........................................................................................ 12 1.4 Study Area ....................................................................................................... 12 1.5 Justification of Study ....................................................................................... 15 1.6 Research Problem ............................................................................................ 16 1.7 Research Questions and Objectives ................................................................. 17 1.7.1 Research Questions .............................................................................. 17 1.8 Objectives of the study..................................................................................... 17 1.8.1 General Objective