Health Impacts of Climate Change And WASH Strategies In Coastal Area of Bangladesh

Abstract

The coastal regions of Bangladesh are composed of Khulna, Barisal and Chittagong divisions. The coastal areas are frequently affected by Salinity, Cyclones, Sea level Rise, Tidal Surges, Water Logging and River Erosion. A severe tropical cyclone hits in coastal area of Bangladesh, on average, every 3 years. Climate change especially cyclones, flood and Salinity is a major constraint of safe drinking water supply and sanitation facilities. The phenomenon of re-curvature of tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal is the single most cause of the disproportional large impact of storm surges on the Bangladesh coast. Cyclone devastates all the drinking water sources and causes destruction to sanitation facilities. In this context, till recent time, many people are compelled to drink such polluted water without any sort of purification and consequently suffer from water borne diseases. This study was found that, above 80% people suffered from diarrhoea but major portion, infant below 5 and above 70 years old. Moreover, more than 60 – 70% people are infected by skin diseases and dysentery. Furthermore, average 30% people are affected by fever and cholera within one year. In addition, field survey on toilet facilities in the study area identified that there were 59.61% simple pit latrines, 24.56% pour flush latrines, remaining 5.8% inhabitants had no toilet facilities and 10.03% others in Kaligonj and Assasuni coastal region. Before the adaptation WASH strategies , only 5.2% of the population used soap , about 7.65% used ash, about 42.19% used soil and remainining percents used only water for hand washing after defecation. After ensuring safe drinking water, health improved sanitary latrine and reduction of water logging through homestead area as well as plinth rise, study was initiated with satisfactory progress on health impact. However, the awareness development campaign on hygiene practices in this study area had vividly increased the use of soap, ash and soil for hand washing after defecation around to be about 3.69% and 7.76% and 14.09% respectively. In this case, Overall, improvement in waterborne diseases like diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera, fever and skin diseases  was found above 40% with facilitating safe drinking water, improved sanitation and hygiene practices.