KNOWLEDGE AND FLOOD RISK PERCEPTION AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN FLOOD-PRONE RURAL AND URBAN COMMUNITIES IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Disasters have devastating effects on communities, especially where knowledge and perception are limited, vulnerability is high, and capacity is low. Nigeria has suffered from recurrent flood disasters, with Kaduna State among the affected regions. Household heads are important elements in flood disaster management, and their knowledge and risk perception are crucial. This study assessed household knowledge and flood risk perception among households in flood-prone rural and urban communities in Kaduna State. The comparative cross-sectional study was carried out with mixed methods of data collection among 202 households in rural communities and 202 in urban communities. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and key informant interview guides. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the study respondents. The quantitative data were collected using Open Data Kit (ODK) version 1.8.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0, while the qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The mean age of the household heads in the rural communities was 39.4±12.9 years and in the urban communities 43.7±13.9 years. Although slightly better among urban households, knowledge of flood disasters and their management was poor in both community groups. However, in both rural and urban communities, the household heads had a good understanding of flood risk. Therefore, there is a need for effective flood disaster awareness and education by the relevant stakeholders for both the rural and urban communities, among others.