Water and climate variability in developing countries: the case of Uganda

Baguma, David, Loiskandl, Willibald, Hashim, Jamal H. and Hashim, Zailina, (2014). Water and climate variability in developing countries: the case of Uganda. Journal of Water and Climate Change, 5(3), 377-390

Document type:
Article
Collection:

Metadata
Links
Versions
Statistics
  • Sub-type Journal article
    Author Baguma, David
    Loiskandl, Willibald
    Hashim, Jamal H.
    Hashim, Zailina
    Title Water and climate variability in developing countries: the case of Uganda
    Appearing in Journal of Water and Climate Change
    Volume 5
    Issue No. 3
    Publication Date 2014-03-18
    Place of Publication London
    Publisher IWA Publishing
    Start page 377
    End page 390
    Language eng
    Abstract

    Water safety and climate mitigation measures are global concerns. In this study, climate variability and related health implications were examined. The data included 11,101 outpatient records in the Luwero district from the Ugandan Ministry of Health database, the records of 2,358 outpatients connected with water-related health risks linked to climate variability (diseases such as cholera, typhoid, acute diarrhoea and dysentery) from seven sub-county health centres, monthly mean rainfall data for 30 years (1977–2007), and information from 90 households that harvest rainwater near the local health units. Using a logistic regression, the analysis controlled for the following list of social factors that potentially influence capabilities: personal characteristics (education), cultural norms, the capacity to cope with shocks, seasonal variation, societal favouritism and community segregation. Integrated water management, man-made induced activities and information on effects of climate variability were important in mitigation planning. Young people, including those under the age of 18, were significantly more vulnerable than people of other ages to water-related health risks linked to climate variability. Although both the young and the elderly are susceptible to waterborne illnesses, the findings reveal a link to climate variability, which is inadequately emphasised. We recommend persistence in climate mitigation measures and control against water-related risks.

    Keyword Health centres
    Rainfall
    Rainwater
    Season
    Social factors
    Copyright Holder IWA Publishing
    Copyright Year 2014
    Copyright type All rights reserved
    ISSN 20402244
    DOI 10.2166/wcc.2014.062
  • Versions
    Version Filter Type
  • Citation counts
    Scopus Citation Count Cited 0 times in Scopus Article
    Google Scholar Search Google Scholar
    Access Statistics: 551 Abstract Views  -  Detailed Statistics
    Created: Tue, 29 Sep 2015, 12:33:42 JST