An Analysis of the Perceived Effects of Climate Change on the Health of Rural Farmers in Okigwe Agricultural Zone of Imo State, Nigeria Chikaire, J.U., Nwakwasi, R.N., Godson-Ibeji, C.C. & Chikezie, N.P. (2016). An Analysis of the Perceived Effects of Climate Change on the Health of Rural Farmers in Okigwe Agricultural Zone of Imo State, Nigeria Mayfair Journal of Agriculture Development in Emerging Economies Volume 1, Issue 2, Pp 32-42
This study analysed the effects climate change on the health of rural farmers in Okigwe Agricultural zone of Imo state, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to; describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the rural farmers; examine the evidence of climate change by rural farmers; determine the farmers’ perception of the common ailments/medical conditions associated with climate change; and identify strategies for managing climate change related health risks. The data was collected with questionnaire from 170 respondents and were analysed using descriptive statistics. Result showed that the mean age of the respondents was 49.9 years and a mean household size of 4.4 persons and small farm size with a mean of 1.49ha. Climate change evidence observed included crop failures, flooding, heavy rainfall, death of crops, and pests/diseases increase among others. The result further indicated that farmers perceived climate change to lead to hunger, injury/death, sicknesses such as stress, skin damage, malaria diarrhoea, typhoid fever and others. Government at all levels should provide access to clean drinking water, efficient energy source, and early warning information to rural dwellers to enable them cope.