Assessment of Health Risk Factors Associated with Flood Disaster in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

The study assessed the health risk factors associated with flood disaster in the Niger Delta of Nigeria, using the cross-sectional survey research design and 400 copies of questionnaire to elicit information in the selected communities on the health risk factors and the public health intervention to prevent non- communicable and communicable diseases. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The results showed that communities sampled are aware of risk factors influencing health problems which include the speed of the flood water, depth of the flood, collapse of houses and destruction of infrastructure that are associated with physical health problem. Risk factors such as overcrowding in camp, disruption of sewage disposal, negligible sanitation and stagnant water, poor standard of hygiene, poor nutrition are associated with both the vector and water-borne diseases. Also, the loss of loved once, destruction of houses, source of income, and farmland constitute the risk factors associated with mental health problem. Among the common intervention practices adopted include clearing of drainage system, establishing hubs for treatment and care after flood disaster, continuous visitation by health professional, immunization program, clearing of drains, provision of health services and WASH within the communities. The study concluded that flooding plays important role in the physical and mental health, outbreak and the spread of infectious diseases as it creates conditions for injuries and the multiplication of pathogens and vectors. It recommends that policymakers should invest more in strategies that would improve risk perception, enhance awareness, while providing functional local health care system and assistance to communities over a longer period.