Abstract
Mortality, which is inevitable and irrevocable, has been a major threat to mankind. Human-induced fatalities are still distressing in Oku Sub-Division. The degree of exposure of the population is very high wherein settlement and village activities are sited on montane steep slopes which are susceptible to landslides and extreme weather conditions. This is couple with poor access to healthcare. Human-induced mortality triggers and implications on the population of Oku needs to be seriously addressed in contemporary era. As such, this study uses a historical survey and comparative design of field investigation covering a period of 36years (1982 to 2018) to examine the human related scourges of mortality in Oku. Purposive sampling technique was used to administer questionnaires to selected key informants as well as through focus group participants from the entire population. Findings from a Chi-Square Test at 0.05 level of significance and a df of 6 portray that human-induced mortality incidence limits to an extent or is a deterrent to the socio-economic development of Oku leading to the conclusion that rapid population growth and limited space for settlement on the precarious mountainous environment is the key stressor on human life. Educating the population to avoid precipitous slopes susceptible to landslides can safe humanity, ensure sustainable livelihood and increase assets for socio-economic development.
Highlights
Mortality is a natural phenomenon in the world that befalls and can affect every population
The rationale of this study is to identify the human-induced mortality causes and implications on the population of Oku Sub-Division
Studies have revealed that the high mortality levels in Oku has adversely been the result of the undulating topography whereby the local population has been obliged to develop housing and undertake agricultural activities at the mercy of extreme weather, landslides and other related hazards
Summary
Mortality is a natural phenomenon in the world that befalls and can affect every population. When human numbers decrease in an alarming rate resulting from physical and human hazards, assets for socioeconomic development are reduced as population (human capital) is the main driver of socioeconomic development This explains why most economies of the high mortality ridden parts of Africa still have very low and disturbing levels of socio-economic development (World Bank, 2007). Some inhabitants in Oku still have a poor perception about modern medication and the dangers of steep slopes for settlements and agriculture given the increasing population density from 23 persons/Km2 in 2005 to over 39 persons/km in 2013 (Elak Council Development Plan, 2012) This has occasioned high exposure to human casualties widening the mortality scope which reduces the assets for socio-economic development through the loss of human and financial resources and the disruption of economic activities. The creation of the Kilum Mountain Forest Reserve in 1987 and reinforced by the 1994 forestry law limited the land for livelihoods and opportunities thereby obligating the people to occupy steep Kilum montane slopes as a means for survival. 2009-2018 was marked by rapid population growth, food crisis and the migration to hollow frontiers to avert food insecurity. 2015 witnessed the tarring of the Ndop-Oku road which tremendously amplified fatality rates of accidents in Oku Sub-Division
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