Perception of Climate Change and Associated Factors among Rural Dwellers of Gondar Zuria District, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

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Introduction: Climate change affects all countries, but the poorest countries of Africa are more vulnerable. Understanding the climate change perception of a community is vital for decision and policy makers to learn how and where to enhance the adaptation and mitigation capacity of peoples. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the perception of climate change and associated factors among households in Gondar Zuria district, northwest Ethiopia.

Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted from March 23- April 27, 2015. A total of 427 household heads were selected using the systematic random sampling method. An interviewer-administrated questionnaire was used for collecting data. Bi-variable and multivariable binary logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with the perception of climate change. 

Result: Of the 427 participants, 58.5% (95% CI: 54%, 63%) perceived the causes and effects of climate change. Those who had good knowledge about the cause and effects of change (AOR 1.8, 95%CI: 1.04-3.20), could access information about it (AOR 6.80, 95%CI: 4.1-11.9), and people engaged in mixed occupation (AOR 2.9, 95%CI: 1.22-7.13) were positively associated with the perception of the change. Besides, better wealth index and farming experience also had a positive association with the perception of climate change.

Conclusion: More than half of the household heads had the perception that climate was changing over time. Knowledge about climate change, farming experience, wealth index, access to climate change information and occupation had a significant association with perception. Public enlightenment should be raised vigorously on climate change using the mass media.