Slums, climate change and human health in sub-Saharan Africa

Ramin, Brodie

doi:10.2471/blt.09.073445

Cited by 40 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Many of the countries in southern Africa are growing and urbanizing rapidly (Ramin, 2009) and there is increased pressure to feed a rapidly growing population (Conroy, 2006). The large rural populations of Southern Africa (as much as 85 percent in some countries) put tremendous demand on resources and have led to notable land degradation, deforestation, soil erosion and soil infertility (Magrath & Sukali, 2009).…”

Section: Food Securitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Household vulnerability mapping in Africa's Rift Valley

2015

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Section: Food Securitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Household vulnerability mapping in Africa's Rift Valley

2015

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“…Inappropriate disposal of waste, especially the non-biodegradable plastic paper bags results into these being swept downstream resulting into blockage of drainage systems. Floods not only destroy property, they have claimed lives both on roads and homes and damage sewerage systems leading to wide spread environmental contamination with human waste and associated risk of infection transmission [66, 73]. Blocked drainage systems are also breeding sites for diseases transmitting vectors such as mosquitoes.…”

Section: Health Impacts Of Exposure To Solid Wastementioning

confidence: 99%

A review and framework for understanding the potential impact of poor solid waste management on health in developing countries

2016

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BackgroundThe increase in solid waste generated per capita in Africa has not been accompanied by a commensurate growth in the capacity and funding to manage it. It is reported that less than 30% of urban waste in developing countries is collected and disposed appropriately. The implications of poorly managed waste on health are numerous and depend on the nature of the waste, individuals exposed, duration of exposure and availability of interventions for those exposed.ObjectiveTo present a framework for understanding the linkages between poor solid waste management, exposure and associated adverse health outcomes. The framework will aid understanding of the relationships, interlinkages and identification of the potential points for intervention.MethodsDevelopment of the framework was informed by a review of literature on solid waste management policies, practices and its impact on health in developing countries. A configurative synthesis of literature was applied to develop the framework. Several iterations of the framework were reviewed by experts in the field. Each linkage and outcomes are described in detail as outputs of this study.ResultThe resulting framework identifies groups of people at a heightened risk of exposure and the potential health consequences. Using the iceberg metaphor, the framework illustrates the pathways and potential burden of ill-health related to solid waste that is hidden but rapidly unfolding with our inaction. The existing evidence on the linkage between poor solid waste management and adverse health outcomes calls to action by all stakeholders in understanding, prioritizing, and addressing the issue of solid waste in our midst to ensure that our environment and health are preserved.ConclusionA resulting framework developed in this study presents a clearer picture of the linkages between poor solid waste management and could guide research, policy and action.

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“…[4]However, for unknown reasons stigma and discrimination in connection with this disease are a frequently occurring problem in Africa. [3,5] It was considered that over 70% of the African population are rural dwellers, [6,7] who live in cultural communities with a high level of poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, and diseases [3,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14] due to poor health care and educational facilities. Therefore, poor knowledge and education on HIV infection are likely to arise.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of Education and Knowledge of HIV with HIV Stigma in Thirteen Selected African Countries

Fortwengel¹,

Ibeneme²,

Behnsen³

et al. 2018

CAJPH

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Majority of African countries have high stigma index(HSI) and are mostly populated by rural dwellers with high levels of illiteracy/ignorance. Therefore, poor education and knowledge of human immune deficiency virus(HIV) infection might be key drivers of stigmatization. Eight countries with a stigma index(STI) >40%(Niger, Guinea, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Togo, and Democratic Republic of Congo) of 32 African countries with listed STI by UNAIDS, and three (Rwanda, Zambia, and Namibia), with a low stigma index (LSI) of 20%, were descriptively analyzed. Four knowledge classes(≤25%-class one;>25%≤50%-class two; >50%≤75% class three; >75%-class four), and categories of stigmatisation score (< 0.5-class one; 0.5< 1.0-class two; 1.0< 1.5-class three and >1.5-class four -signifying little, medium, high and very high tendency to stigmatize, respectively), were created based on respondents 'answers to twelve questions assessing knowledge of HIV, and four questions assessing stigmatisation of HIV-positive people, respectively. Data were characterized and evaluated by frequency tables using IBM SPSS Software. Respondents in knowledge classes three and four, mainly comprised urban dwellers in both LSI (98.0%urban vs 96.5%rural), and HSI (80.3%urban vs 64.5%rural) countries. Females had higher educational attainment than males in countries with LSI (98.35%females vs 97.6%males) than his (79.8% females vs 81.6% males). However, males expressed positive views (< 0.5-class one) about having an HIV-positive teacher, continuing to teach (i.e. least tendency for social stigmatization), and would buy vegetables from an HIV-positive vendor (i.e. least tendency for physical stigmatization), than females. Meanwhile, 48% of respondents would not buy vegetables from an infected vendor, yet they knew that HIV will not be transmitted by sharing food with an infected person. Impact factors of positive attitudes towards HIV are urbanization, educational attainment, and knowledge about HIV. LSI countries are distinguished from HSI countries by higher female educational attainment and knowledge about HIV than male, which may impact HIV stigmatization, and could be of socio-cultural significance. Lesser tendency to stigmatize among males than females may suggest that socio-cultural factors which enable stigmatization may be gender-related. The greater tendency towards physical than social stigmatization may reflect respondents' perception that physical contact enables HIV transmission. The contradiction between knowledge and belief was evident hence almost half of those who knew the mode of transmission of HIV, had a negative attitude towards an infected vendor.

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Slums, climate change and human health in sub-Saharan Africa

Cited by 40 publications

References 5 publications

Household vulnerability mapping in Africa's Rift Valley

Household vulnerability mapping in Africa's Rift Valley

A review and framework for understanding the potential impact of poor solid waste management on health in developing countries

Association of Education and Knowledge of HIV with HIV Stigma in Thirteen Selected African Countries

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