Coping strategies for household water insecurity in rural Gambia, mediating factors in the relationship between weather, water and health.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Rural communities in low- and middle-income countries, such as The Gambia, often experience water insecurity periodically due to climate drivers such as heavy rainfall and reduced rainfall, as well as non-climate drivers such as infrastructural issues and seasonal workloads. When facing these challenges households use a variety of coping mechanisms that could pose a risk to health. We aimed to understand the drivers of water insecurity (climate and non-climate), the behavioural responses to water insecurity and the risks these responses pose to the health of communities in rural Gambia and map these findings onto a conceptual framework.

Methods

We interviewed 46 participants using multiple qualitative methods. This included in-depth interviews and transect walks.

SUBMITTER: Bose I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11562698 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature