Urban Residents' Perception of Health Risks of Climate Change and Its Impact on Bahaviour Change in Mombasa City, Kenya

Abstract

Climate change has proved to have adverse consequences on human health as well as exacerbates health risks. However, there have been relatively few studies on public awareness, understanding and concern on the health threat of climate change. This study investigated Mombasa City residents' perception of the health risks of climate change. The study mainly targeted heads of households to answer the research question. The research adopted cross sectional survey research design. A total of 300 households were selected through random and systematic sampling and completed semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was supplemented with 9 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 9 key informant interviews (KIIs). Descriptive statistics used in data analysis included frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation. Personal perceived susceptibility to the health threats of climate change was explored with the Health Belief Model (HBM) as a conceptual frame and analyzed through logistic regressions. The study found that over 90% of the respondents perceived that climate change poses a risk to their health. They identified the diseases that have increased in frequency and severity as normal cold/fever malaria, headaches, diarrhea and cholera. Up to 81.0% reported that there are barriers to protecting themselves from negative health consequences of climate change, with the main barrier being lack of skills. The study further found that only a minority of the respondents (23.1%) have reduced energy consumption based on their knowledge of climate change. Of those who have reduced their energy consumption, all are the ones who have perceived climate change as having serious consequences on their health. By using the predictive power of Health Belief Model the study established that having the information necessary to prepare for the health impacts of climate change is a significant predictor of behavior change. Finally, the study established that most residents of Mombasa have also affirmed some autonomous adaptive behavior during adverse weather such as staying indoors and heating the room. The study concludes that majority of Mombasa residents know that climate change is occurring and that such changes pose serious risks to their health but lack the right skills to protect themselves from these risks. The study recommends for accurate and timely weather focus for the city to help residents prepare for health risks that come with extreme weather events. There is also need to equip residents with right skills to enable them protect themselves from the health risks of climate change. Further, climate change should be framed from a health perspective to motivate behaviour change. This will provide for primary prevention to the onset outbreak of diseases associated with extreme climatic events.