Activities per year
Abstract
Worldwide the pressure on water is increasing. In parts of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), natural wetlands constitute the only accessible water resources, providing water free of charge, agricultural potential and livelihoods in otherwise uninhabitable landscapes, which is why they are being used extensively. The degradation and contamination of water which result from the use of wetlands has the potential to spread disease-causing microorganisms and provide increased breeding habitats for disease vectors, Despite this importance, case studies are lacking and knowledge gaps remain about whether and how different kinds of wetland use influence the exposure to health risks and transmission of infectious diseases.
This descriptive literature review aimed at identifying publications from peer-reviewed journals and book chapters that (i) address water-related infectious diseases in SSA wetlands and (ii) link those diseases to use-related exposures. The resulting overview includes 27 publications and shows that depending on the type of use, people in wetlands are exposed to different risk factors and water-related infectious diseases. Exposure to infectious agents depends on occupational characteristics, and time spent in wetlands. Disease transmission is driven by users’ contact to water, characteristics of pathogens and vectors of disease. The amount of available literature varies significantly. Whereas several publications have linked crop production and the domestic use of wetland water to contraction of diseases, fewer are available on health risks identified with pastoralism in wetlands and other uses. Some risk factors are well researched, such as irrigation schemes favouring schistosomiasis prevalence. For others, including proximity of pastoralists to their livestock and the associated trachoma risk, knowledge remains limited.
This review establishes connections of selected diseases with different transmission pathways that are linked to specific risk factors, transmission pathways and resulting diseases. All of these have been integrated into a detailed conceptual framework which simplifies the complexity of the relationships, while at the same time identifying missing links which might provide stimulus for future research tackling the potential research gaps. It concludes that socio-cultural and behavioural considerations regarding the wetland users are not sufficiently evaluated and should receive increased attention in future investigations.
This descriptive literature review aimed at identifying publications from peer-reviewed journals and book chapters that (i) address water-related infectious diseases in SSA wetlands and (ii) link those diseases to use-related exposures. The resulting overview includes 27 publications and shows that depending on the type of use, people in wetlands are exposed to different risk factors and water-related infectious diseases. Exposure to infectious agents depends on occupational characteristics, and time spent in wetlands. Disease transmission is driven by users’ contact to water, characteristics of pathogens and vectors of disease. The amount of available literature varies significantly. Whereas several publications have linked crop production and the domestic use of wetland water to contraction of diseases, fewer are available on health risks identified with pastoralism in wetlands and other uses. Some risk factors are well researched, such as irrigation schemes favouring schistosomiasis prevalence. For others, including proximity of pastoralists to their livestock and the associated trachoma risk, knowledge remains limited.
This review establishes connections of selected diseases with different transmission pathways that are linked to specific risk factors, transmission pathways and resulting diseases. All of these have been integrated into a detailed conceptual framework which simplifies the complexity of the relationships, while at the same time identifying missing links which might provide stimulus for future research tackling the potential research gaps. It concludes that socio-cultural and behavioural considerations regarding the wetland users are not sufficiently evaluated and should receive increased attention in future investigations.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1110-1123 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health |
Volume | 220 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2017 |
Externally published | Yes |
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Contracting infectious diseases in Sub-Saharan African wetlands: A question of use? A review'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Activities
- 3 Oral presentation
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Can Health Risk Perception act as a Tool in Wetland Management?
Anthonj, C. (Speaker)
5 May 2017Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
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The Impact of Water on Health and Ill-Health in a Sub- Saharan Wetland: Exploring both Sides of a Coin
Anthonj, C. (Speaker)
3 Jul 2017Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
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WASH in Wetlands. Where do we stand?
Anthonj, C. (Speaker)
11 Oct 2016Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
Press/Media
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The time and space of water and health: an interview with Carmen Anthonj, PhD
28/10/20
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Other
Research output
- 12 Citations
- 6 Article
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Contextualizing linkages between water security and global health in Africa, Asia and Europe: Geography matters in research, policy and practice
Anthonj, C., Aug 2021, In: Water Security. 13, 11 p., 100093.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile12 Citations (Scopus)196 Downloads (Pure) -
Kenyan school book knowledge for water, sanitation, hygiene and health education interventions: Disconnect, integration or opportunities?
Anthonj, C., Sophie, G., Höser, C., Stein, A., Blanford, J. I. & Grossi, V., Jun 2021, In: International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. 235, p. 1-14 14 p., 113756.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile17 Citations (Scopus)619 Downloads (Pure) -
Coping with ill-health: Health care facility, chemist or medicinal plants? Health-seeking behaviour in a Kenyan wetland
Anthonj, C., Giovannini, P. & Kistemann, T., 6 Jun 2019, In: BMC International Health and Human Rights. 19, p. 1-14 14 p., 18.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile5 Citations (Scopus)74 Downloads (Pure)