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Mapping Rural Household Vulnerability to Flood-Induced Health Risks in Disaster-Stricken Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Author

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  • Ashfaq Ahmad Shah

    (College of Humanities and Development Studies (COHD), China Agricultural University, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Haidan District, Beijing 100193, China)

  • Wahid Ullah

    (Department of Philosophy, School of Humanities, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China)

  • Nasir Abbas Khan

    (School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada)

  • Bader Alhafi Alotaibi

    (Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Chong Xu

    (National Institute of Natural Hazards, Ministry of Emergency Management of China, Beijing 100085, China
    Key Laboratory of Compound and Chained Natural Hazards Dynamics, Ministry of Emergency Management of China, Beijing 100085, China)

Abstract

This study maps the rural household vulnerability to flood-induced health risks in flood-affected Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan, focusing on the devastating 2022 flood. Using data from 600 households in the severely impacted districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (including Charsadda and Nowshera), this research examines the influence of demographic, socioeconomic, and infrastructural factors on household vulnerability. This study assesses household vulnerability to flooding and health issues using logistic regression. The current study findings revealed that female-headed households, those with younger heads, and families with lower educational levels are particularly vulnerable. Income disparities significantly shape coping capacity, with wealthier households more likely to adopt effective risk-mitigation strategies. Proximity to functioning healthcare facilities emerged as a crucial factor in reducing vulnerability, as these households faced fewer health hazards. Conversely, households in areas where health and water infrastructure were damaged experienced higher risks of disease outbreaks, including cholera and malaria, due to water contamination and inadequate sanitation. This study highlights the urgent need for resilient infrastructure, strengthened public health systems, improved health education, and enhanced water and sanitation services to mitigate flood-induced health risks. Policymakers are urged to sustainable development practices by adopting gender-sensitive disaster management strategies, prioritizing educational initiatives, and fostering community support networks to enhance resilience to future flood events in KPK.

Suggested Citation

  • Ashfaq Ahmad Shah & Wahid Ullah & Nasir Abbas Khan & Bader Alhafi Alotaibi & Chong Xu, 2024. "Mapping Rural Household Vulnerability to Flood-Induced Health Risks in Disaster-Stricken Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-21, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:23:p:10578-:d:1535395
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