Sociodemographic and geophysical determinants of household vulnerability to coastal hazards in the Volta Delta, Ghana
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction
Abstract
Theoretical emphasis on combining geophysical and socioeconomic characteristics in assessing
vulnerability is growing but with little empirical support. Similarly, there is increasing consideration of cumulative vulnerability to multiple stressors, yet empirical studies are scant. This
study seeks to assess the geophysical and socioeconomic determinants of households’ vulnerability to the cumulative impacts of three coastal hazards—flooding, erosion and salinity—using
evidence from the Volta Delta in Ghana. The study employed multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression functions to assess cumulative vulnerability and exposure to individual
hazards, respectively. Results indicate that while exposure to hazards is determined largely by
geophysical factors and the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of households determine
the extent of vulnerability to their impacts. In addition, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of households, particularly higher wealth levels, non-agricultural occupation, and
improved drinking water sources are associated with lower levels of vulnerability to the cumulative impacts of coastal hazards. In developing contexts, resilience to coastal hazards requires
improved access to social amenities as well as alternative livelihood options.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Determinants, Sociodemographic, Cumulative vulnerability