Perspectives of Local Community Leaders, Health Care Workers, Volunteers, Policy Makers and Academia on Climate Change Related Health Risks in Mukuru Informal Settlement in Nairobi, Kenya—A Qualitative Study

Andersen, Johanne Greibe; Karekezi, Catherine; Ali, Zipporah; Yonga, Gerald; Kallestrup, Per; Kraef, Christian

doi:10.3390/ijerph182212241

Cited by 11 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Given the scale of recent agricultural damages due to extreme climate events in India, their widespread coverage and importance in the region, this was high on the list of perceived climate impacts. This included downstream effects of agricultural impacts on health through food systems, as was also seen in other multi-stakeholder studies from other settings, pointing to the interlinked nature of climate impacts [ 14 , 36 , 37 ]. As was also discussed by participants as an indirect impact of climate change, reduced agricultural yield due to climate change has been linked to a loss of work hours, which in turn can potentially lead to sedentary lifestyles, causing further risk of ill health and malnutrition [ 45 , 46 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

“…This could potentially explain why participants deemed common and easily observed climate risks and health impacts, such as agriculture and vector-borne diseases, greater than others, such as CVD impacts. Vector-borne diseases are commonly considered to be highly climate-sensitive, partially due to their explicit nature and monsoon climate, which fosters stagnant water [ 36 , 37 ]. There have also been reports of increased flooding along the eastern coast of India in recent years [ 33 , 38 , 39 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Heat and season-related diseases including skin diseases, CVDs and respiratory illnesses, mentioned by few of the participants, are also commonly linked to climate change [ 16 , 37 , 47 ]. When it came to CVDs in particular, not all participants were convinced of the association.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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“Climate Change and Health?”: Knowledge and Perceptions among Key Stakeholders in Puducherry, India

Shrikhande

Merten

Cambaco

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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Climate change has far-reaching impacts on human health, with low- and middle-income countries, including India, being particularly vulnerable. While there have been several advances in the policy space with the development of adaptation plans, little remains known about how stakeholders who are central to the strengthening and implementation of these plans perceive this topic. We conducted a qualitative study employing key interviews with 16 medical doctors, researchers, environmentalists and government officials working on the climate change agenda from Puducherry, India. The findings were analysed using the framework method, with data-driven thematic analysis. We elucidated that despite elaborating the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on health, there remains a perceived gap in education and knowledge about the topic among participants. Knowledge of the public health burden and vulnerabilities influenced the perceived health risks from climate change, with some level of scepticism on the impacts on non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases. There was also a felt need for multi-level awareness and intervention programmes targeting all societal levels along with stakeholder recommendations to fill these gaps. The findings of this study should be taken into consideration for strengthening the region’s climate change and health adaptation policy. In light of limited research on this topic, our study provides an improved understanding of how key stakeholders perceive the impacts of climate change on health in India.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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“Climate Change and Health?”: Knowledge and Perceptions among Key Stakeholders in Puducherry, India

Shrikhande

Merten

Cambaco

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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“…This lack of awareness was attributed to factors such as a lack of local policy, regulatory authority, trained public health staff, funding, scientific information, and political support (Rahman et al, 2021). In Mukuru, Nairobi, Kenya, a qualitative study conducted in 2021 found that local community leaders, health workers, volunteers, policymakers, and academics in the area recognized a range of climate-related health impacts, including lung disease, heat stroke, and hypertension (Andersen et al, 2021). In particular, they highlighted the significant negative impacts of climate change on mental health, underscoring the need for comprehensive policies that address both physical and mental well-being.…”

Section: Understanding Of and Engagement With Climate Change And Heal...mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Global Review of Research on Effective Advocacy and Communication Strategies at the Intersection of Climate Change and Health

Uppalapati,

Ansah,

Campbell

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Climate change's intensifying impact on human health necessitates effective advocacy and communication strategies. In this review that spans research in multiple languages published from 2000 to 2023, we summarize evidence on effective advocacy and communication strategies at the intersection of climate change and health for public audiences, health professionals, and public officials. First, we synthesize research on public audiences, including their perceptions of climate change and health, public responses to health-framed climate information, climate and health risks and solutions, information about vulnerable populations and equity considerations, climate- and health-related visual communication and imagery, and their perceptions of health professionals. Then, we provide an overview of research on health professional audiences, including their role in climate and health communication and advocacy, knowledge of the connections between climate and health, willingness to engage with the topic and in climate-relevant actions, and ways to encourage this engagement. Next, we delve into public officials’ perspectives and comprehension of the relationship between climate change and health. Lastly, we end with recommendations for a research agenda to fill the gaps illuminated in this review and foster a growing field on climate and health insight and engagement.

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“…Mukuru is the second largest informal settlement with eight villages located on an estimated 647 acres of land in Embakasi South Constituency in Nairobi County 18 . It was purposively selected because of its rapid growth and potential for the upsurge of respiratory health risks among residents 19 and the dominance of PAYG customers. (Fig 1).…”

Section: Study Locationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health perceptions of smart meter liquefied petroleum gas users in Nairobi's Informal Settlement

Nabukwangwa,

Nyongesa,

Karama

2023

ajhs

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Introduction : Household air pollution (HAP) from cooking with polluting fuels increases the risk of developing respiratory diseases. The use of a smart-meter liquefied petroleum gas (LPG); Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model that eliminates cost barriers may increase the use of LPG, reduce HAP exposure, and lower the burden of respiratory diseases. Lack of awareness of the effects of HAP is a barrier to the exclusive use of LPG. This cross-sectional study examined smart meter users' awareness of air quality and perception of health risks associated with HAP among PAYG customers in Mukuru informal settlement, Nairobi Kenya. Materials and Methods : The study targeted household customers who have been cooking with PAYG LPG for at least two years. Surveys (n=330) and focus group discussions (FGDs) (n=32) participants were selected using multistage and purposive sampling techniques respectively. Quantitative and qualitative data were descriptively and thematically analyzed using STATA and NVIVO respectively. Results : The majority, who cooked with no separate kitchen room 147(60%) were worried about kitchen smoke (p-value=0.038). Also, 129(65%) of those who used smart meter LPG with other polluting fuels (p-value =0.021), and most 79(63%) who had experienced respiratory symptoms were concerned about kitchen smoke (p-value<0.05). Results further revealed participants' overall low awareness of indoor/outdoor pollution and little concern about respiratory health risks associated with HAP, due to a focus on more immediate issues, like; food security. The motivation to use LPG was more linked to economic considerations than health benefits. Conclusion/Recommendation : Results highlighted the potential for the smart-meter LPG (PAYG) model for exclusive adoption of LPG especially in the informal settlement and recommended the need to create awareness of the negative effects of HAP.

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Perspectives of Local Community Leaders, Health Care Workers, Volunteers, Policy Makers and Academia on Climate Change Related Health Risks in Mukuru Informal Settlement in Nairobi, Kenya—A Qualitative Study

Cited by 11 publications

References 18 publications

“Climate Change and Health?”: Knowledge and Perceptions among Key Stakeholders in Puducherry, India

“Climate Change and Health?”: Knowledge and Perceptions among Key Stakeholders in Puducherry, India

A Global Review of Research on Effective Advocacy and Communication Strategies at the Intersection of Climate Change and Health

Health perceptions of smart meter liquefied petroleum gas users in Nairobi's Informal Settlement

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