scholarly journals Rural Energy Demand and Climate Change Adaptation in Ghana

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Kwabena Boafo Adom-Opare ◽  
Daniel Kweku Baah Inkoom

This paper applies a cross-sectional and prospective study designs to explore the nexus between energy forms in rural areas in Ghana and prevailing climate change impact indicators. The results indicate that rural energy forms in Ghana are mainly fuel wood and charcoal, with limited number of modern energy forms. These dominant energy forms affect and are affected by climate indices that were studied in this paper; which were rainfall, surface temperature and evaporation. There is continual increase in demand for fuel wood and charcoal across different altitude and economic zones in rural communities and this phenomenon will continue even with increased access to modern energy forms like electricity and LPG. The analysis also shows that with increasing demand and slow forest cover regeneration; there was a deficit in fuel wood supply even though there is surplus charcoal supply. This phenomenon threatens energy access and climate change in rural communities.

2019 ◽  
Vol 101 ◽  
pp. 02002
Author(s):  
Anna-Kaarina Seppälä ◽  
Nabin Raj Gaihre ◽  
Rinald Pereira

India currently has the biggest unelectrified population in the world. Renewable-based microgrids could provide a sustainable solution to providing universal energy access. However, the potential electricity demand in rural areas is unknown and hard to predict. This data is needed to analyse the purchasing power and potential market for microgrids, and to assess their success rate. This study surveyed 73 households in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh in India, to study the energy need in rural communities. The data shows that many unelectrified households are already using electrical appliances powered by small photovoltaic panels or batteries. The consumption is not income-generating but potential productive use cases are widely present. In Uttar Pradesh, small-scale microgrids are already providing homes with enough power for lighting and mobile chargers. An average unelectrified household was found to consume 2.48 kWhe monthly, and to spend ₹ 155 on energy services. Villagers wish for more appliances and more power, and have the required finances to pay for it.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Kwabena Boafo Adom-Opare ◽  
Daniel Kweku Baah Inkoom

The paper uses a range of sustainability-measuring indicators to define and measure sustainable energy in a rural context. The use of fuel wood and charcoal in rural areas has consequences on the environment and human health and ultimately, climate change. Fuel wood and charcoal consumption for example pose threats in through carbon emissions. Though Ghana and most African countries are not heavy carbon emitters, it is important to recognize that fuel wood and charcoal are major sources of residential and industrial energy resource. From the study, it was estimated that household and industrial/commercial fuel wood and charcoal consumption, emitted 24,171 tCO2/year and the net carbon capture was about 112billion tCO2/year. The balance between carbon emitted and capture provides an indication of more room for carbon sequestration in the area and its environs; however high growth in fuel consumption coupled with increasing forest reduction and water evaporation (refer to section 4.6.3 on data on evaporation) presents a case for concern over the years.


Author(s):  
Wabusya Moses Wetiba ◽  
Mugatsia Tsingalia ◽  
Njira Njira Pili ◽  
Vincent Kakembo

Aims: This study assessed the level of climate change awareness among the forest-adjacent communities in the Kakamega-Nandi forest ecosystem complex. Four locations were chosen for the study, Buyangu and Isecheno in the Kakamega forest, Kaptumo in Nandi South and Kipsamoite in Nandi North forest ecosystems. Study Design: A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from primary sources. Structured questionnaires were administered to the residents aged 25years and older within the study area. Place and Duration of Study: The Kakamega, north and south Nandi forest ecosystems in western Kenya between June -December 2019. Methodology: A total of 280 questionnaires were randomly administered to the forest-adjacent respondents with, Kakamega forest 163 respondents, South Nandi forest 60, while North Nandi had 57respondents. A total of 217 questionnaires were filled and returned and the information wherein used in data analysis. Focused Group Discussion and key informants were used to supplement data collects by the questionnaires. Results: Majority of the residents (54%) were less concerned about climate change. In addition, 85% of the respondents had very little knowledge on coping and adapting to the adverse impacts of climate change. Some 40 % and 45% of the respondents got information about climate through televisions and radios, respectively. Further analysis of the results revealed that climate change was responsible for fourteen key impacts. These included an increase in rainfall, prolonged drought, decrease in the quality and quantity of fresh water, decrease in food security, an increase in temperature, a decrease in agricultural resources, an increase in sickness and disease, a decrease in quality of life, flooding, decrease in forest cover, loss of homes, reduction in biodiversity, and rise in storm surge. A Chi test revealed a significant relationship between forest cover decline and changes in rainfall patterns (X2 = 111.86, df =12, p<0.001), increasing temperature (X2 = 80.492, df =12, p<0.001);, drought( (X2 = 204.84, df =16, p<0.001) and storm surges (X2 = 74.34, df =8, p<0.001)]. The respondents' level of education was significantly different from their level of climate change awareness (X2=44.88, df=4, p<0.001). Conclusion: Forest-adjacent communities in the Kakamega-Nandi forest ecosystem complex are vulnerable to climate change as a result of insufficient knowledge about climate change and its impacts. The Kakamega-Nandi forest ecosystem is already experiencing climate change effects such as erratic rainfall and increasing food insecurity.


2022 ◽  
pp. 1-46
Author(s):  
Prosper Bazaanah

This chapter examined the link between ecological governance and water conservation as sustainable pathways for enhancing rural livelihoods in the Savannah Region. Designs adopted were post-positivist and cross-sectional. Probability sampling techniques were used to sample 450 household and official respondents. Questionnaires were administered, while descriptive statistics and chi-square test were utilised to analyse the data. Findings showed significant relationship between conservation initiatives, finance, rehabilitation/maintenance, and gender inclusion and domestic water conservation. Therefore, with commitment to maintenance, funding, and gender inclusion in water decisions, there is the likely for water to be locally sustainable in rural communities of the region. Democratic, decentralised, and participatory approaches to ecological governance and empowerment of the local communities are recommended as essential preconditions for achieving ecologically self-governing communities and sustaining domestic water systems in the rural areas of the region.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebrahim Aliafsari Mamaghani ◽  
Edris Hasanpoor ◽  
Esmaiel Maghsoodi ◽  
Farzaneh Soleimani

BACKGROUND: Poor adherence to medication regimen leads to poor health outcomes, increased medical costs and increased death rate due to hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate baseline barriers to medication adherence among hypertensive patients in deprived rural areas.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 238 hypertensive patients living in deprived rural areas of Iran. Data were collected using a questionnaire consisting of demographic information, Morisky medication adherence scale and the barriers to medication adherence that were reliable and valid.RESULTS: The results of the study showed that medication adherence was significantly decreased and had a significant positive correlation with gender and economic status, while it had a negative correlation with age. Medication Adherence had a positive correlation with the duration of hypertension, while it had a negative correlation with the number of medications used and concurrently with other diseases.CONCLUSIONS: Based on the present study it can be concluded that enhanced knowledge about illness and treatment in rural communities is improves the medical adherence. Financial supports along with the reduced number of prescribed drugs are also found to be the determining factors in the medical adherence. 


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Ehiemere IO ◽  
Onorikpori T ◽  
Nwaneri A ◽  
Ndie EC ◽  
Emeh A

The study was aimed at determining nurses’ attitude to and perceived factors that influence posting and working in rural communities in Delta State, Nigeria. Descriptive cross-sectional research design was used for the study. A total of 129 nurses covering the entire nursing staff working in these communities were studied. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire. The data obtained were subjected to simple descriptive statistics and t-test analysis. The results interestingly showed that nurses have positive attitude towards the acceptance of rural postings. This positive attitude not withstanding it was concluded that community Health nurses should be posted to rural areas since they are better prepared by training to work in rural communities.


Author(s):  
Zerihun Yohannes Amare ◽  
Johnson O Ayoade ◽  
Ibidun O Adelekan ◽  
Menberu Teshome Zeleke

Communities’ perception of climate change must be integrated with research information to improve their adaptive capacity successfully. Thus, to propose appropriate adaptation options to the specific localities, understanding the levels of perception of rural communities to climate change and variability is crucial. This study aims to capture the rural communities’ perception of climate change and its determinants in Dejen district, Nile basin of Ethiopia. Cross-sectional socio-economic and time series climatic data were used. Stratified and snowball sampling techniques were employed to select a sample of 398 households. Chi-square analysis was carried out at p≤0.05. The majority (65.7%) of households had information about climate change before this study survey. Age, farming experience, income, the number of relatives, access to weather information, farmer to farmer access, and government experts’ extension services had a significant effect on the majority of climatic variables perception of households. The households’ perception of climate change was in line with results of climate data analysis. The chi-square analysis test of hypothesis shows gender has no significant effect on the perception of climate change. The implication is that all social groups in the study area perceived that there are changes in climate.


2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 06-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deisy Hervert-Hernández ◽  
Isabel Goñi

AbstractObjectiveThe aims of the present work were to study beverage consumption among obese women from rural communities in Mexico and to estimate daily polyphenol intake and dietary antioxidant capacity from beverages.DesignA cross-sectional study was used to analyse the beverage intake of 139 premenopausal obese women estimated through repeated 24 h food recalls. Total polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity were determined in eighteen beverages, representing 71 % of total beverage consumption, in order to estimate the intake of polyphenols (mg/person per d) and the dietary antioxidant capacity (μmol Trolox equivalents/person per d) from beverages.SettingFive rural communities located in Queretaro State, Mexico, in 2008.SubjectsA total of 139 premenopausal women identified as obese (BMI 35·0 (se 0·4) kg/m2), aged 25–45 years.ResultsThe contribution of beverages to dietary energy was 1369 kJ/d (18 % of total energy intake). Soft drinks were consumed the most (283 (se 17) ml/d), followed by coffee and fresh fruit beverages. Polyphenol intake and dietary antioxidant capacity from beverages was 180·9 (se 12·5) mg/person per d and >1000 μmol Trolox equivalents/person per d, respectively. The items that contributed most to this intake were coffee, roselle drink, peach and guava juices and infusions.ConclusionsThere is an urgent need to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among obese women from rural Mexico. Low-sugar beverages rich in polyphenols and antioxidants may be healthier options to replace sweetened drinks and increase the intake of bioactive compounds. Nutritional advice on this topic could be a viable strategy to tackle obesity in rural areas in Mexico.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-54
Author(s):  
Oo Tha Naing ◽  
Wendy Diana Shoesmith ◽  
Chrystalle B. Y. Tan ◽  
Mohd Yusof Ibrahim ◽  
Syed Shajee Hussein

  Introduction: One of the aims outlined in Malaysia’s Health Vision 2020 is to be a nation of healthy individuals, families, and communities through an equitable, affordable, efficient, environmentally adaptable, and consumer friendly healthcare system. Sabah faces tremendous challenges to provide the best care for patients. For example, Sabah's unique geographical location and landscape, such as steep hills and rivers, is one of the challenges that health staff faces. Objectives of this study aimed to examine the prevalence of geographical accessibility, types of healthcare services, and the types of health seeking behaviour in 2 northern rural areas of Sabah to assess the geographic accessibility and availability of healthcare services. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in two rural areas in Sabah—Kudat and Pitas. Data collection was done by using questionnaire and face–to-face interviews. Results: It was found that 48% of the study population sought healthcare and they mainly chose healthcare services from hospitals and health clinics. Conclusion: Half of the population in the areas studied used healthcare in the last year. The choice of using a public hospital or community health clinics was determined by distance from residence.


Author(s):  
Megha Jayaprakash ◽  
Georgy Joy Eralil ◽  
Rajany Jose ◽  
Radha K. R. ◽  
Vijilakshmi A. G. ◽  
...  

Background: Early detection of cervical cancer is possible with Pap smear tests. The proportion of women who undergo Pap smear testing ranges from 68% to 84% in developed countries as compared to India where the rates range from 2.6% to 6.9% among women in communities. This study is to assess the knowledge of women about cervical cancer, its screening, role of doctor and source of information.Methods: Cross-sectional study – observational study of Women attending gynecology camps/op clinics held in rural areas of Ernakulam and Thrissur who are between 25 and 65 years of age Non-random sampling with Sequential inclusion of the women who met the study criteria. A questionnaire devised collecting Basic sociodemographic profile like age, parity, educational qualification, Questions to assess knowledge about symptoms of cervical cancer Questions to assess the knowledge about cervical cancer screening and prevention doctor as Source of knowledge from the subjects. Correct response for questions carried score of 1 mark. So, the maximum was 6 and minimum was 0. The knowledge was graded as: <2 being poor knowledge; 2-5 being satisfactory knowledge and ≥5 being good knowledge.Results: 32.9% of women identified discharge per vaginum as the most common symptom. When 50.9% thought multiparity was a risk factor 30% identified early sexual activity. 2.3% women knew that pas smear screening has to be done repeatedly. 8.3% of participants already had screening done. Only 8.3%of doctors advised pap screening during their consultations. Uptake of pap smear after awareness program was 100%.Conclusions: Awareness classes are needed for increasing the coverage for pap smear screening. The women should be educated about cervical cancer, its screening methods and the facilities available for screening in the hospitals. An Information Leaflet has to be provided to these women in the local language. Training programs should be conducted for general practitioners and gynecologists to conduct awareness classes for the public and also to motivate women to undergo screening at every possible opportunity.


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