Perception of Disease Risk and Vulnerability as a Function of Proximity to National Park Boundaries in East Africa
Year: 2013
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Studies suggest households closest to parks and protected areas (PAs) are more likely to sustain park-related losses, but the relationship between human sickness and PAs has not been fully explored. Existing literature primarily focuses on human-wildlife conflicts (i.e. crop raiding) and the potential for zoonotic disease spillover and emergence at the human-livestock-wildlife interface at PA boundaries. Understanding local perceptions of disease risk and vulnerability is essential for assessing human health relative to conservation areas. This understanding will promote better-informed consideration of human health impacts in decision making for conservation. Data from surveys taken at 301 households around Kibale National Park (KNP), an important conservation area, were used to identify risk perception and factors influencing perceived disease risk and vulnerability. Human sickness was the most frequently cited worry by respondents (88%) and malaria was the most frequently cited illness (80.1 %). Those living closer to PAs may be at greater risk for park-related harm and cited more frequent cases of malaria and non-malarial fever. The perception of high risk for human sickness is pervasive across the region independent of household distance to the park and actual disease risk.
Author: Irene Bridget Feretti
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W171385026