Floods adversely affect community well-being and health. This study aims to assess the present health vulnerability of households to floods in a rural flood-prone area of northeastern Thailand, as well as their adaptation measures. The participants were the representatives of 312 randomly selected households, and data were collected using an interview questionnaire. Health vulnerability was assessed in terms of flood exposure, flood sensitivity, and flood adaptive capacity. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. The results showed that 47.1% of the households had a low level of health vulnerability to flooding, while in 21.2% the level was high. Households had been adapting themselves to cope with the health impacts from flood. Their coping practices included special arrangements for the protection of property, food management, the provision of water supply and waste disposal, the elimination of sources of vector-borne diseases, family health care, the protection of family livelihood, and communication and transportation.
Background: Human behaviour contributes significantly to global warming (GW), significantly adding to ill-health and disease. As a result, efforts should be made to enlist the support of school-aged children in preventive behaviour. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of a school-network intervention using Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3Rs) to improve primary students’ GW preventive behaviour. Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-post and control group study was conducted. The experimental group ( n = 359) and the comparison group ( n = 331) comprising fifth and sixth grade primary students. School network members (SNMs), who included school principals, teachers, parents and community leaders, worked with the pupils for 4 months using the 3Rs approach. Data were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire measuring knowledge, attitudes and practices. A paired t-test and an independent t-test were used to analyse the data. In-depth interviews and focus groups took place with SNMs to assess the perceived effectiveness of the 3Rs intervention. Results: Significant post-intervention improvements in students’ knowledge, attitudes and practice were found in the experimental group. The 3Rs programme received significant support from SNMs. Green living sub-projects including waste product recycling, planting, school energy conservation and changes in school lunch programmes to include more green food, were established by children. Conclusions: The 3Rs model, complemented by school networking, was perceived to have had a positive impact on students’ GW prevention activities.
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