Climate Change and Cerebrospinal Meningitis in the Ghanaian Meningitis Belt

Bibliographic Data

ID15462788
AuthorsSamuel Nii Ardey Codjoe (0000-0002-6567-0262, University of Ghana, corresponding author), Samuel Codjoe (Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 96, Legon, Ghana), Vivian Nabie (University of Ghana)
Year2014
Volume11
Issue7
Pages6923-6939
Publication date2014-07-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph110706923
PMID25003550
PMCIDPMC4113853
OpenAlexW2027733516
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited53

Cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) is one of the infectious diseases likely to be affected by climate change. Although there are a few studies on the climate change-CSM nexus, none has considered perceptions of community members. However, understanding public perception in relation to a phenomenon is very significant for the design of effective communication and mitigation strategies as well as coping and adaptation strategies. This paper uses focus group discussions (FGDs) to fill this knowledge lacuna. Results show that although a few elderly participants ascribed fatal causes (disobedience to gods, ancestors, and evil spirits) to CSM infections during FGDs, majority of participants rightly linked CSM infections to dry, very hot and dusty conditions experienced during the dry season. Finally, community members use a suite of adaptation options to curb future CSM epidemics

Biology · Cerebrospinal meningitis · Climate change · Coping (psychology · Environmental health · Focus group · Geography · Meningitis · Nexus (standard · Perception · Psychiatry · Sociology · Climate Change Communication and Perception · Medicine · Neuroscience · Psychology · Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy · Ecology