scholarly journals An assessment of flood vulnerability and adaptation: A case study of Hamutsha-Muungamunwe village, Makhado municipality

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rendani B. Munyai ◽  
Agnes Musyoki ◽  
Nthadeuleni S. Nethengwe
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Vulnerability Index ◽  
Flood Hazards ◽  
Flood Vulnerability ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Employment Education ◽  
And Coping

This study assesses flood vulnerability, levels of vulnerability, determinants of flood vulnerability and coping strategies for flood hazards. The vulnerability and resilience of the local communities are key concepts in this study. Most households are vulnerable to flood hazards. It is therefore important to measure their levels of vulnerability and assess their responses for current and future planning. A flood vulnerability index was used to measure the extent of flood vulnerability. Key informant interviews, field surveys and household questionnaires were used to collect the data. The results show that vulnerability to flood in this community is determined by the nature of soil, dwelling type, employment, education and amount of rainfall in a season. Social and economic components scored higher than the physical environment, while social factors are higher than the economic factors. Contextual coping strategies in this community were temporary relocation, evacuation to a safe area and waiting for government and neighbours to help. The study recommends that public awareness campaigns, early warning systems and improved disaster management strategies must take into consideration differentiated levels of vulnerability and community coping mechanisms and preferences.

scholarly journals Current Issues in Early Warning and Development Initiatives Towards Enhanced Flood-Related Resilience in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ugonna C. Nkwunonwo
Keyword(s):  
Early Warning ◽  
Disaster Recovery ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Flood Hazards ◽  
Coping Capacity ◽  
Local Initiative ◽  
Present Context ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
And Coping

More than 4 years since the UNISDR Sendai framework replaced its predecessor, Hyogo, communities’ resilience to flooding is still a major issue for especially the developing countries (DCs) such as Nigeria where there are unresolved limitations with early warning systems. The recent increase in human and economic damages caused by floods and the inability of communities to recover from the effects, despite years after the disaster, indicate that the global concept of resilience has not been fully grasped. Nigeria, which is the subject of this chapter, typifies this situation. Evidently, the historic flooding of 2012 and its predecessors affected many communities and individual victims most of whom are still struggling with disaster recovery and reconstruction. This raises important research questions. What is not understood in the present context is that government institutions have made a lot of politicizing various interventions and local initiative, but the present reality is a “pathetic travesty of disaster recovery.” This chapter elucidates on these issues through theoretical discussions on community participation, risk-informed investment, and rural adaptation, all of which can be advocated to facilitate community resilience and coping capacity to all variants of flood hazards in Nigeria.

scholarly journals 204 - Psychological distress and support needs of community residing older adults in urban India – An exploratory study

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. 8-9
Author(s):  
Jayashree Dasgupta ◽  
Meenakshi Chopra
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Support Needs ◽  
Urban India ◽  
And Coping

Background:COVID pandemic in India, lockdowns and an unprepared health system has affected wellbeing of older adults. Low public awareness about mental health issues and stigma also contribute to low help seeking. Exploring impact of COVID on mental health of older adults and understanding support needs is essential.Research Objective:To examine mental wellbeing and coping strategies used by urban community residing older adults during the pandemic in India.Method:As part of an ongoing community engagement initiative with older adults and their families, an online survey was conducted during the first wave of the pandemic in April/May 2020. Sociodemographic details and information on coping strategies were gathered. The five-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) was used to screen for psychological distress and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Respondents were contacted again in May 2021 during the second COVID wave for a telephonic interview to understand current levels of distress and coping strategies. Consent was taken for audio recording and interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis.Preliminary results of the ongoing study:Respondents (N=54) aged between 40-86 years (Mn = 60; SD = 18.9). Majority were male (61%), retired or homemakers (57%) and widowed/unmarried (52%). Of the sample 70% had one or more pre-existing medical conditions. A score of ≥ 2 on GHQ in 66% respondents indicates psychological distress. Stressors included health and well-being of family (62%), difficulty managing household work (42%) and increase in family conflicts (17%). Although 72% discussed their worries with family/friends, only 25% considered speaking with a mental health professional indicating low help seeking. Of respondents contacted again, 40% citied ill health or being busy as reasons for refusal to participate. Of those who agreed, 33% reported psychological distress. In-depth interviews, showed use of online mental wellness sessions and yoga/meditation to be beneficial coping strategies. Need for more online support groups was also highlighted.Conclusion:Psychological distress is present amongst community residing older adults in urban India. A change in attitude towards tele mental health must be leveraged to provide support for adults experiencing psychological distress.

scholarly journals An Exploration of Family Caregiver Experiences of Burden and Coping While Caring for People with Mental Disorders in Saudi Arabia—A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (17) ◽  
pp. 6405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loujain Sharif ◽  
Shimaa Basri ◽  
Fidaa Alsahafi ◽  
Mashael Altaylouni ◽  
Shihanah Albugumi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Educational Training ◽  
The Public ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Associative Stigma ◽  
And Coping

Family caregivers of people with mental disorders face a number of burdens and stressors, such as associative stigma and burnout. These burdens are often a result of their caring role coupled with insufficient support or ineffective coping strategies, which can affect their quality of life and biopsychosocial integrity that, in turn, may affect the care they provide. This study aimed to explore the experiences of family caregivers of people with mental disorders, through examining the burdens that they face and the coping strategies that they use. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, 13 semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of the Saudi public, recruited through popular social media platforms and analyzed using thematic analysis. Five main themes were constructed from the data: Type of care, Challenges, Coping and support, Perceptions of public awareness, and Messages to others. The findings emphasize the different types of burdens that caregivers experience, and their needs that require a range of responses such as educational training on effective coping strategies, and psychological support in the form of counseling or group therapy. This study highlights the voice of caregivers and their message to the public, in order to correct the misconceptions surrounding mental disorders and those associated with them.

scholarly journals Exploring the status of disaster risk reduction focusing coping strategies in Rangpur division of Bangladesh

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
MM Rahman ◽  
HJ Hiya ◽  
ST Auyon ◽  
MA Islam
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Flood Management ◽  
The People ◽  
Riverbank Erosion ◽  
The Status ◽  
Productive Assets

Bangladesh is a low laying country where disaster events are common phenomena almost every year. Same as coastal areas of Bangladesh, the northern areas are now suffering huge events of floods, droughts and riverbank erosion. The main purpose of this study is to determine the practice of disaster coping strategies by the people in the study areas. The study was carried out at Rajibpur sub-district under Kurigram district, Saghatta sub-district under Gaibandha district, Gangachara sub-district under Rangpur district, Aditmari sub-district under Lalmonirhat district and Dimla sub-district under Nilphamari district. Data were collected from a sample of 300 respondents from 5 subdistricts by using interview schedules 12 January 2017 to 19 March 2018. About 80% respondents are dependent on the TV or Radio news for pre-disaster warning and forecasting as well as more than this population loses their property above BDT 50000 in every year due to disaster damage. During flood, the respondents maintain some scoping materials like raising plinth, making scaffold, using moveable cooking materials, taking loan from the Mahajan and sold their non-productive assets. Most of the respondents from various study area follow these kinds of measures and about 63.33% respondents use bamboo or wood for their cooking purpose during flood. About 40% respondents from these study areas are suffered of shelter due to riverbank erosion and they migrate here and there for better life. More than two third of the respondents have no opportunity to get any kind of help or relief from the GOs and NGOs. They are now depending on their own coping strategies. They badly need a new coping strategy for reducing the damage of flood or riverbank erosion. Disaster forecasting, early warning system and community-based flood management can save many lives and properties. For effective disaster management strategies, it could be applied early warning systems and adequate training as pre-disaster strategy and availability of relief and other inputs at acceptable price and loan with flexible conditions as post-disaster strategy. Progressive Agriculture 29 (3): 195-204, 2018

scholarly journals Flood Vulnerability Assessment of Kali Welang Floodplain by Using AHP-Based Methods

UKaRsT ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
Ageng Dwi Wicaksono ◽  
Entin Hidayah ◽  
Retno Utami Agung Wiyono
Keyword(s):  
Policy Making ◽  
Vulnerability Index ◽  
Local Scale ◽  
Flood Hazards ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Flood Vulnerability ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Governmental Agencies ◽  
Flood Susceptibility ◽  
Flood Vulnerability Index

Floods occur almost every year in a number of areas in the floodplain of Kali Welang. The floods have caused loss of materials and lives. Assessment of the vulnerability is essential for policy making in non-structural treatment of floods.  The objective of this paper is to compute and elaborate the flood vulnerability index in local scale to assess conditions that affect the magnitude of flood hazards.  This study identifies and evaluates the Flood Vulnerability Index (FVI) of an area by considering the factors of area’s exposure to floods, flood susceptibility, and flood resilience. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is used to formulate the weights of each component. The values of the components were collected from interviews with policy makers from relevant governmental agencies. The inputs for the AHP were collected from the respondents in a questionnaire survey. This study selected 18 relevant indicators. The FVI results show very high vulnerability in local scale in one village and high vulnerability in other six villages. The results of this study can be used to construct non-structural strategies in flood mitigation by enhancing community’s resilience toward the flood. In addition, the results can be used for policy making process in spatial urban planning.

scholarly journals Vulnerability and Adaptation to Flood Hazards in Rural Settlements of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 3490
Author(s):  
Rendani B. Munyai ◽  
Hector Chikoore ◽  
Agnes Musyoki ◽  
James Chakwizira ◽  
Tshimbiluni P. Muofhe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Rainfall ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Extreme Rainfall ◽  
Development Planning ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Flood Hazards ◽  
Rural Settlements ◽  
Flood Vulnerability

Climate change has increased the frequency of extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall leading to floods in several regions. In Africa, rural communities are more vulnerable to flooding, particularly those that dwell in low altitude areas or near rivers and those regions affected by tropical storms. This study examined flood vulnerability in three rural villages in South Africa’s northern Limpopo Province and how communities are building resilience and coping with the hazard. These villages lie at the foot of the north-eastern escarpment, and are often exposed to frequent rainfall enhanced by orographic factors. Although extreme rainfall events are rare in the study area, we analyzed daily rainfall and showed how heavy rainfall of short duration can lead to flooding using case studies. Historical floods were also mapped using remote sensing via the topographical approach and two types of flooding were identified, i.e., those due to extreme rainfall and those due to poor drainage or blocked drainage channels. A field survey was also conducted using questionnaires administered to samples of affected households to identify flood vulnerability indicators and adaptation strategies. Key informant interviews were held with disaster management authorities to provide additional information on flood indicators. Subsequently, a flood vulnerability index was computed to measure the extent of flood vulnerability of the selected communities and it was found that all three villages have a ‘vulnerability to floods’ level, considered a medium level vulnerability. The study also details temporary and long-term adaptation strategies/actions employed by respondents and interventions by local authorities to mitigate the impacts of flooding. Adaptation strategies range from digging furrows to divert water and temporary relocations, to constructing a raised patio around the house. Key recommendations include the need for public awareness; implementation of a raft of improvements and a sustainable infrastructure maintenance regime; integration of modern mitigations with local indigenous knowledge; and development of programs to ensure resilience through incorporation of Integrated Development Planning.

Pain management strategies for effective coping with Sickle Cell Disease: The perspective of patients in Ghana

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-117
Author(s):  
V.A. Adzika ◽  
D. Ayim-Aboagye ◽  
T. Gordh
Keyword(s):  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mitigating Factor ◽  
And Coping

Abstract Aims Prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is high in Ghana but not much is known in terms of research into non-medical strategies for managing and coping with the pain associated with SCD. This study was carried out to examine effective non-medical related strategies patients use to cope and manage their SCD condition. MethodsSCD patients (387) at the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital (Sickle Cell Clinic), consisting of 180 males and 204 females between 18 and 65 years old years participated in the study. A cross-sectional research design was used in which participants completed 9 questionnaires on pain, non-medical coping and management strategies, anxiety, and depression. ResultsOver 90% of participants reported that pains associated with SCD were the main reason for seeking treatment in SCD crisis. In terms of non-medical related coping strategies, attending a place of worship and praying were the main coping strategies used in SCD crises, suggesting that patients’ beliefs, particularly in a supernatural being, served as a mitigating factor in the process of coping with the pain associated with SCD crisis. Also, avoidance and withdrawal from people and social activities were reported to be strategies used to cope with the pain associated with SCD crisis. Results of multiple regression analysis showed that socio-demographic characteristics contributed to the variance in the pain associated with SCD. ConclusionThis study indicates that non-medical strategies, such as religious beliefs and psychosocial actions, are important factors for patients in Ghana for their coping and management of the pains associated with SCD. This knowledge may add to the understanding of the SCD-patients’ situation.

scholarly journals Understanding the usability issues in contact management of illiterate and semi-literate users

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0259719
Author(s):  
Shamaila Hayat ◽  
Aimal Rextin ◽  
Anas Bilal
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Voice Communication ◽  
Dual Channel ◽  
Contact Information ◽  
User Groups ◽  
Text Reading ◽  
To Come ◽  
And Coping

The effective utilization of a communication channel like calling a person involves two steps. The first step is storing the contact information of another user, and the second step is finding contact information to initiate a voice or text communication. However, the current smartphone interfaces for contact management are mainly textual; which leaves many emergent users at a severe disadvantage in using this most basic functionality to the fullest. Previous studies indicated that less-educated users adopt various coping strategies to store and identify contacts. However, all of these studies investigated the contact management issues of these users from a qualitative angle. Although qualitative or subjective investigations are very useful, they generally need to be augmented by a quantitative investigation for a comprehensive problem understanding. This work presents an exploratory study to identify the usability issues and coping strategies in contact management by emergent users; by using a mixture of qualitative and quantitative approaches. We identified coping strategies of the Pakistani population and the effectiveness of these strategies through a semi-structured qualitative study of 15 participants and a usability study of 9 participants, respectively. We then obtained logged data of 30 emergent and 30 traditional users, including contact-books and dual-channel (call and text messages) logs to infer a more detailed understanding; and to analyse the differences in the composition of contact-books of both user groups. The analysis of the log data confirmed problems that affect the emergent users’ communication behaviour due to the various difficulties they face in storing and searching contacts. Our findings revealed serious usability issues in current communication interfaces over smartphones. The emergent users were found to have smaller contact-books and preferred voice communication due to reading/writing difficulties. They also reported taking help from others for contact saving and text reading. The alternative contact management strategies adopted by our participants include: memorizing whole number or last few digits to recall important contacts; adding special character sequence with contact numbers for better recall; writing a contact from scratch rather than searching it in the phone-book; voice search; and use of recent call logs to redial a contact. The identified coping strategies of emergent users could aid the developers and designers to come up with solutions according to emergent users’ mental models and needs.

The Self-Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis (SEMS) Scale

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 352-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Bonino ◽  
Federica Graziano ◽  
Martina Borghi ◽  
Davide Marengo ◽  
Giorgia Molinengo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Measurement Invariance ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Concurrent Validity ◽  
Rasch Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
And Coping

Abstract. This research developed a new scale to evaluate Self-Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis (SEMS). The aim of this study was to investigate dimensionality, item functioning, measurement invariance, and concurrent validity of the SEMS scale. Data were collected from 203 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients (mean age, 39.5 years; 66% women; 95% having a relapsing remitting form of MS). Fifteen items of the SEMS scale were submitted to patients along with measures of psychological well-being, sense of coherence, depression, and coping strategies. Data underwent Rasch analysis and correlation analysis. Rasch analysis indicates the SEMS as a multidimensional construct characterized by two correlated dimensions: goal setting and symptom management, with satisfactory reliability coefficients. Overall, the 15 items reported acceptable fit statistics; the scale demonstrated measurement invariance (with respect to gender and disease duration) and good concurrent validity (positive correlations with psychological well-being, sense of coherence, and coping strategies and negative correlations with depression). Preliminary evidence suggests that SEMS is a psychometrically sound measure to evaluate perceived self-efficacy of MS patients with moderate disability, and it would be a valuable instrument for both research and clinical applications.

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