How do children perceive health to be affected by domestic water carrying? Qualitative findings from a mixed methods study in rural South Africa

Abstract

The ICF framework facilitates the communication of children's perceptions of health and of relationships between health and water carrying. The model thus derived from their views incorporates not only commonly accepted conceptualizations of health condition, body structure and physiological function, but also of functioning through activities and social participation. Children's accounts suggest a possible association between water carrying and symptoms typical of musculoskeletal disorders. However, further research into the strength of association between water carrying and musculoskeletal disorders is needed.

Health impacts of pedestrian head-loading: A review of the evidence with particular reference to women and children in sub-Saharan Africa

“…It also reported neck pain as a major source of discomfort from water carrying among head-loaders (and their mothers and grand-mothers). Two other recent papers, also based on small samples, focus on health implications of domestic water carrying in Limpopo Province, South Africa (Geere et al, 2010a(Geere et al, , 2010b. In the first paper, based on qualitative research with 30 children, the authors suggest that since children have lower tolerance limits for physical stress (citing Nuckley et al, 2007), they may be particularly affected by water carrying, with potential impacts on pain, joint mobility, energy/drive, physical endurance, and emotional function.…”

Child Porterage and Africa’s Transport Gap: Evidence from Ghana, Malawi and South Africa

“…From a Western perspective, such loads seem enormous, but clear identification of impacts on current and future health is difficult because sound medical evidence is sparse (although, for instance, a WaterAid pamphlet in 1996 suggested that water loads have especially serious implications for girls, notably damage to head, neck, and spine; see also Geere, Hunter, & Jagals, 2010;Geere, Mokoena, Jagals, Poland, & Hartley, 2010). Detailed research is needed to answer important questions regarding whether, when and how the load-carrying we have documented translates into long-term bodily damage (or advantage, i.e., in terms of improved bone density).…”

Domestic water carrying and its implications for health: a review and mixed methods pilot study in Limpopo Province, South Africa

“…Water filled containers are often carried on the head, however, transportation with wheel barrows, animal drawn carts or by rolling filled containers has also been observed [7,8]. These methods obviously create physical demands on the body and the potential for adverse physical stress from regularly carrying loads of water has been recognised [6,9,10].…”

“…Two recent reports indicate that some people may experience high rates of perceived exertion and pain sufficient to limit their capacity to carry water containers [7,43]. Reduced capacity of women or children to collect water due to pain or fatigue may have serious implications for the health of their families.…”