Health Impact from Flooding and the Adaptation of the People in the Repetitive Flooded Area of the Kasetsomboon District, Chaiyaphum Province

Abstract

This descriptive research aims to study the health impact and the adaptation of
the people in a repetitive flooded area. The study included quantitative as well as
qualitative research methodologies. The research was conducted in a repetitive flooded
area of the Kasetsomboon district, Chaiyaphum province including 268 households.
Research tools applied questionnaires, group discussions, and adaptability observation
forms. Percentage, average, and standard deviation were used for quantitative data
analysis. Qualitative data was analyzed by descriptive analysis according to the research
concept. The results of study showed that 83.6 percent of those being questioned believed
that flood was caused by draining water from a nearby dam; storm was considered
as a cause for flooding by 38.1 percent, and waterway obstruction by 31.0 percent.
As after effect of the flooding food shortage affected 89.6 percent of the population;
81.0 percent of toilets were blocked; 45.1 percent of the population complained
about an increase of mosquitoes hazards; shortage of water supply was noticed by
18.3 percent, this included 13.1 percent with a shortage of drinking water; 11.2
percent complained that that there was no place for dumping garbage, and 3.4
percent had to move to other areas since they could not stay further on their
houses. As far as the economic impact was concerned 70.1 percent of the
households had their fields completely damaged. The health of the population was
affected in that 49.3 percent suffered from some sort of illness. Fungus infection of
the feet was considered the most frequent one (94.7 percent); 12.1 percent suffered
from cold; 6.1 percent were stressed, and 2.7 percent has an accidents mainly
because off a slippery surface (57.1 percent). Adaptation methods of villagers
included raising their houses by landfills. 67.6 percent of them built two‐storey
houses. 94.1 percent increased the level of toilets. Rice storage facilities, dried foods
and the areas for cooking were also adjusted to prevent from flooding. Growing rice
in the appropriate season decreased, but double‐crop harvesting increased. Paddysown
fields became more popular than transplanting field in order to decrease the
cost of cultivation. Most of the villagers stopped raising animals or decreased the
number of animal domestication. Some of them changed the time for raising animals
into the dry season and selling them in the rainy season. Although there was a
regulation in limitation of the height of houses, but this could not be informed
because the villagers were afraid of floods and they believed in flood warning. It is
concluded that most of the people adapted themselves to the floods and planned for
flood protection by increasing the level of their houses. However, there was no flood
protection plan on community level. Therefore, the community as a whole should be
involved in flood protection.