Flood Hazard and Its Associated Health Impacts in Limbe Health District, Cameroon

Abstract

Background Floods make up 12 % of all natural hazards that occur yearly in Cameroon. The city of Limbe has been experiencing floods since 1999 due to rapid economic and population growth. This study sought to determine the following: 1) the trend in the prevalence of malaria, typhoid and diarrheal diseases; 2) the factors that increased community vulnerability to these diseases, and 3) the community's knowledge of the post-disaster health risks of floods. Materials and Methods A retrospective cohort study, which involved a review of outpatient department (OPD) registers from 2005 to 2016, was used to collect secondary data for the diseases. A cross-sectional study that made use of questionnaires (384) and Focus Group Discussion with major stakeholders (50 people) was used to collect information needed to determine the underlying causes of the health hazards and understand the community’s perception of floods. Results The 2005 to 2016 trend in disease prevalence was 36-28 % for malaria; 1.1-4.4% for typhoid and 6.9-3.8% for diarrheal diseases. There was an unusually high prevalence of these diseases in 2005 and 2013, which corresponded to periods of flash flood occurrences. Flood frequency, delay in waste collection, absence of adequate toilet facilities and proximity to a river were the main determinants of the diseases (p<0.05). Heavy rainfall (44%), lack of drainage facilities (34%) and blockage of drains (18%) were the main causes of floods. The extent of damage was more to households (personal belongings: 95 %); agricultural land (55%) and lives (18%). Conclusion A significant number (68%) of houses in the study site were located in flat areas/swarms, which increased their exposure to floods. Findings from this study revealed that exposure to flooding will affect the burden of malaria, typhoid and diarrheal diseases. The principal factor responsible for the spread of these diseases is flood with a direct link to heavy rainfall.