Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Heidelberg Center for the Environment (HCE), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 404, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 May 7;18(9):4972. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18094972.
Climate change (CC) constitutes one of the greatest threats to human health, and requires political awareness for effective and efficient adaptation planning. This study identified the perceptions of climate change and health adaptation (CC&H) among relevant stakeholders, decision-makers, and policymakers (SDPs) in Burkina Faso (BF) by determining their perceptions of CC, of related health risks and vulnerabilities, and of CC impacts on agriculture and food security. We carried out 35 semi-structured, qualitative in-depth interviews with SDPs, representing national governmental institutions, international organizations, and civil society organizations. The interviews were analyzed using content analysis. SDPs shared similar perceptions of CC and concurred with three ideas (1) CC is a real and lived experience in BF; (2) the population is aware of climatic changes in their environment; (3) CC is intertwined with the agricultural and economic development of the country. SDPs identified biodiversity loss, floods, droughts, and extreme heat as posing the highest risk to health. They elaborated five exposure pathways that are and will be affected by CC: water quality and quantity, heat stress, food supply and safety, vector borne diseases, and air quality. In conclusion, SDPs in Burkina Faso are highly aware of CC hazards, relevant health exposure pathways, and their corresponding health outcomes. Mental health and the interplay between social factors and complex health risks constitute perception gaps. SDPs perceived CC&H risks and vulnerabilities align with current evidence.
气候变化（CC）是对人类健康的最大威胁之一，需要政治意识来进行有效的适应规划。本研究通过确定相关利益攸关方、决策者和政策制定者（SDP）对气候变化、相关健康风险和脆弱性以及气候变化对农业和粮食安全的影响的认识，来确定布基纳法索（BF）的气候变化和健康适应（CC&H）的认识。我们对 SDP 进行了 35 次半结构化、定性深入访谈，代表国家政府机构、国际组织和民间社会组织。使用内容分析法分析访谈。SDP 对气候变化的看法相似，并同意以下三个观点：1. 气候变化是 BF 真实存在的现象；2. 民众已经意识到环境中的气候变化；3. 气候变化与国家的农业和经济发展交织在一起。SDP 确定生物多样性丧失、洪水、干旱和极端高温对健康构成最大风险。他们详细说明了五个将受到气候变化影响的暴露途径：水质和水量、热应激、食品供应和安全、媒介传播疾病和空气质量。总之，布基纳法索的 SDP 对气候变化的危害、相关的健康暴露途径及其相应的健康结果有很高的认识。心理健康以及社会因素与复杂健康风险之间的相互作用是认识差距。SDP 对 CC&H 风险和脆弱性的认识与现有证据一致。
