Socio-Health Impacts of Floods in the 13th (Agla District) of Cotonou

Agla is prone to flooding during the rainy seasons, due to the inadequacy of the drainage system, a low slope, populations who settle haphazardly in the lowlands, swamps as well as in the natural outlets that they have filled in, the environment is also unsanitary which creates many negative consequences on the living environment of the populations. The objective was to carry out an analytical study of the socio-health aspects of flooding in Agla, an almost annual phenomenon. The methodological approach adopted is based on documentary research, field surveys, and the collection of fundamental data on the impact of flooding in the 13th arrondissement of Cotonou. The survey covered 136 households in the Agla district. For this, flood-prone and non-flood-prone areas were defined with 68 households surveyed within each area. The survey only included households that had lived at least two years in the study area. Households were subjected to a questionnaire survey, followed by direct observation. The present study found a higher frequency of loss of assets (varying from 5.8 to 48.5%), malaria (52.2%), and health expenses (Average 7,500 FCFA /person) among populations flooded areas. the frequencies of diarrhea and dermatoses were similar, contrary to expectations. This seems to indicate a similarity in behaviors not favorable to environmental hygiene within the two zones.