Impacts of Climate Change on the Health of Older People in District Nowshera- Pakistan

Abstract

The study was carried out in district Nowshera  in 2017, in order to examine the effects of  climate change  on the health of older people . The Universe of the study was District Nowshera which consist of three tehsil namely Phabbi, Nowshera and Jehangira while in the first stage purposively two tehsil Phabbi and Nowshera  were selected on the basis of more climate affection. On the same methodology in the second stage villages Kheshgi Bala and Cant union councils were selected from Nowshera  while Mohib Banda, Pashtung Ghari and Jabba Khansa were chosen from tehsil Phabbi. The number of total respondents were 117 in the total villages   while   number of male was 54 and women  was 63. The data was collected through focused group discussion, Key Informant interview and consultation meeting with Elder people of the study area. The results indicate that climate change has severely affected the health of the older people which cause multiple disease such as Heart, Skin irritation, Malaria infection, respiratory infection, diarrhea,psychological disorder, dengue and dehydration which was not severe as compared to  20 years ago in the study area. The climate has changed the temperature, which has affected the rain pattern annually in the study area and disturbs the ecosystem for all living organism in district Nowshera.  Mosquito, heat stress, flood and degradation of the land, deforestation and population pressure problems were observed in the study area. On the basis of problems the following recommendations were suggested for future control measurement. More plantation strategy should be applied for soil erosion because through soil erosion the more mud come into the river which fulfill river from mud which increase the chances of flood in the rainy season which  push community destruction in the study area. Cleanness of the river is required and community should be also informed through awareness program to not put plastic bags in the river which block the river water and cause the flood. Drainage system should be developed in the study area. Health services should be provided for control of diseases measurement.  Transportation system should be developed for the facilitation of marketing which play key role in pushing the economy of the study area. Similarly older people women and men should be facilitated in a proper way in District Nowshera.

Keywords: - Climate, Impact, Older People, Health, District Nowshera

DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/57-01

Publication date: August 31^st 2019