Ecosystem Approach to Human Health in Two Villages of the North Jordan Valley: Scoping the Problems

Abstract

North Jordan Valley (NJV) is a narrow rift valley that extends from lake Tiberius in the north to the Dead Sea in the south. It follows the River Jordan and contains the most fertile lands in Jordan. With a population around 140,000, primarily working in agriculture, NJV is Jordan’s premier agricultural production area. NJV is an ecosystem that is stressed both naturally and by human activities. Limited precipitation and very hot summer seasons are stresses that are inherent parts of the ecosystem itself. However, human activities like agriculture, poor sanitation, and tourism produce health risks to the people through the pollution and degradation of natural resources. The area also faces several socioeconomic problems such as poverty, large family size, and unemployment. In NJV, women typically work at home as housewives taking care of large families and are engaged in agricultural activities through which they are exposed, along with men and children, to high temperature and high concentration of pesticides. This article presents the findings of a Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA) study that focused on assessing local communities’ perception and awareness of the linkages between disruption of the ecosystem and prevailing public health problems. From an academic point of view, one of the key challenges of implementing ecosystem approaches to human health is the incorporation of various stakeholders as full partners throughout the research process rather than as contributors to a research designed from the sole perspective and interests of the academic research team. This study was conceptualized as a preliminary study to guide and inform the design of a larger research study on health and environment linkages in the NJV. The process was considered key for ensuring that research questions would reflect and build upon the priorities of multiple stakeholders, including community members, and would involve them in the design of the research. In addition to the successful involvement of local communities and other stakeholders in the identification of primary health problems and community priorities in the study area, the research played a key role in introducing various stakeholders to the basics of the Ecosystem Approaches to Human Health (Ecohealth) concept. The study took place in two small villages in NJV (Tal Al-Arbaeen and Tal Al-Menteh). The first village is located upstream of the junction point where King Abdullah Canal’s fresh water mixes with marginal quality water of King Talal Reservoir (KTR) while the second one is situated downstream. Results of this study showed that local communities are generally aware of the linkages between the health of the ecosystem and human health and well-being. According to the results of the study, key stressors to the environment (socioeconomic and institutional) include the use/abuse of agrochemicals and household insecticides, spread of flies (associated to organic agriculture), mismanagement of organic fertilizers, lack of sanitation services, unsanitary household conditions, and a serious problem of stray dogs and rodents. Problems associated with poverty and large family size were also commonly mentioned. Diarrhea, respiratory diseases, and infectious and parasitic diseases were believed to be the most common health problems in both villages. Local communities showed great interest and concern for the various health problems to which they are confronted and expressed eagerness to contribute to potential mitigation/intervention measures.