Contribution to the study of the perception of the risk of water-related diseases in Abéché

Abstract

Vulnerability is a combination of factors, damage and social response. The latter depends on the perception of the exposed population. The perception of the phenomena and the risks incurred, their causes and their consequences leads the inhabitants to expose themselves to these threats. This contribution analyzes the behavior of the Abéché’s population according to their perception of the health risk associated with water. To achieve the objectives set, a focus group was carried out with 250 and a household survey with 1516 households distributed differently by district. It follows that knowledge, perceptions and attitudes in the event of morbid episodes highlight a major paradox. The study population is characterized by very heterogeneous representations and attitudes in matters of health. Contrary to simplistic or ideologically marked interpretations, the perception of water-related diseases is primarily based on lessons learned from deep experience of its medical and epidemiological characteristics. However, these diseases remain poorly understood in Abéché. Despite their major impact on morbidity and mortality, the perception of their causes, manifestations and treatments is most often approximate and is the subject of multiple amalgamations.