Human Perception on the Effects of Dust Storm on the Health of Residents’ of Damaturu Metropolis, Yobe State

Abstract

Dust storms are among nature’s most violent and unpredictable phenomena. High winds lift dirt or sand particles into the air, unleashing a turbulent, suffocating cloud that reduces visibility to almost nothing in a matter of seconds and cause property damage, injuries, and deaths. Damaturu Metropolis has been experiencing dust storm most frequently more especially during the onset of the rainy season. The study examined the human perception on the effects of dust storm on the health of residents’ of Damaturu metropolis with the aim of identifying and examining the causes, frequency, effects of dust storm on human health and socio-economic life of resident and their coping strategies. A total of one hundred (100) copies of interview schedules were administered to residents of Damaturu metropolis. The result indicated that desertification and deforestation are the main cause of dust storm and the frequency of its occurrence is more often and it occurs most frequently in the second quarter of the year at the onset of the rainy season. Its duration of occurrence ranges from thirty minutes to an hour, although sometimes it varies. The identified health effects associated with dust storms include asthma, allergic reaction, injury and Road Traffic Accident (R.T.A). The socio-economic and livelihood of the community is equally affected during the dust storm episodes. The coping mechanisms adopted by residents during the dust storm, includes closing doors and windows and using face masks. The study recommended that residents should remain indoors, wear face masks, plant trees and cover crops, among others.