Applying a WASH Risk Assessment Tool in a Rural South African Setting to Identify Risks and Opportunities for Climate Resilient Communities.

Thandi Kapwata,Bianca Wernecke,Caradee Y Wright,Anisha Nijhawan,Guy Howard,Zamantimande Kunene,Samantha Lange

doi:10.3390/ijerph19052664

Abstract

Climate change threatens the health and well-being of populations. We conducted a risk assessment of two climate-related variables (i.e., temperature and rainfall) and associated water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)-related exposures and vulnerabilities for people living in Mopani District, Limpopo province, South Africa. Primary and secondary data were applied in a qualitative and quantitative assessment to generate classifications of risk (i.e., low, medium, or high) for components of hazard/threat, human exposure, and human vulnerability. Climate-related threats were likely to impact human health due to the relatively high risk of waterborne diseases and WASH-associated pathogens. Vulnerabilities that increased the susceptibility of the population to these adverse outcomes included environmental, human, physical infrastructure, and political and institutional elements. People of low socio-economic status were found to be least likely to cope with changes in these hazards. By identifying and assessing the risk to sanitation services and water supply, evidence exists to inform actions of government and WASH sector partners. This evidence should also be used to guide disaster risk reduction, and climate change and human health adaptation planning.

Highlights

We further identified several vulnerabilities that increase are least likely to cope with changes in high temperatures, heavy rainfall and drier than the susceptibility of the population to these adverse outcomes including environmental, usual/dry spells that may be linked with climate change
Our study found that Mopani District is facing climate threats that may compromise WASH projects and programs and compounded, by its vulnerability, this puts it at risk of exposure to WASH-related diseases
Our focus was on water-borne pathogens; since we considered urine and stool samples, we cannot isolate the possibility that some samples may have contained food-borne pathogens since some of the pathogens are carried via both pathways

Summary

Introduction

Sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is seen as the foremost preventative programme against transmission of waterborne and water-washed diseases, including, for example, cholera, and giardia, which cause diarrhea and nausea [1]. Combining provision of safe sanitation with potable water supplies for consumption and personal hygiene can reduce the prevalence of these diseases. These actions can assist in reducing diarrhoeal diseases, especially among vulnerable groups such as children under five years of age [2]. Diarrhea is a symptom of infections caused by a host of bacterial, viral, and parasitic organisms, most of which may be spread by water contaminated with faeces or by transmission via food, hands, and flies because of poor hygiene and sanitation [3].

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Conclusion