The results are presented on the triple effects of coal burning on animal welfare, the environment, and human health in the Benadir region, Somalia from one health perspective.
Demographic Data
The study sought to establish the background of the respondents. The results presented included gender, age, education level, marital status as well as place of residence. this was aimed at establishing the eligibility of the respondents to participate in the study. See Table 1.
Table 1
| Frequency | Percentage (%) |
Gender |
Male | 211 | 55% |
Female | 173 | 45% |
Age |
18–24 years | 96 | 25% |
25–31 years | 77 | 20% |
32–38 years | 123 | 32% |
39–45 years | 88 | 23% |
Education level |
Illiterate | 153 | 40% |
Primary | 91 | 24% |
Secondary | 88 | 23% |
University | 52 | 13% |
Marital status |
Single | 98 | 26% |
Married | 197 | 51% |
Divorcee | 89 | 23% |
Place of Residence |
Deynile | 111 | 29% |
Kahda | 41 | 11% |
Karaan | 77 | 20% |
Yaaqshiid | 93 | 24% |
Hiliwaa | 34 | 9% |
Dharkenley | 28 | 7% |
Environment |
On the effects of coal burning on the environment, the majority 365(95%) of the respondents had seen coal burning and 209(54%) believed that coal burning did not affect the environment, animal welfare, and human health. In addition, 203(53%) held that their homes were not near coal burning areas and 1187(49%) indicated that coal burning was harmful to nature. Further, 309(80%) of the respondents held that coal burning led to droughts; 194(51%) indicated that they did not know that coal burning caused air pollution and 223(58%) held that coal-burning sites increased every year. See Table 2.
Table 2
Statement | Frequency (Yes) | Frequency (No) |
Did you ever see coal burning? | 365(95%) | 19(5%) |
Do you think coal burning affects the environment, animal welfare, and human health? | 175(46%) | 209(54%) |
Is your home near a coal-burning area? | 181(47%) | 203(53%) |
Is coal burning harmful to nature? | 187(49%) | 197(51%) |
Does coal burn lead to droughts? | 309(80%) | 75(20%) |
Do you know coal burning causes air pollution? | 190(49%) | 194(51%) |
Did you think coal-burning sites increase every year? | 223(58%) | 161(42%) |
The study further sought to establish how coal burning impacted the environment in your community. The majority 281(73%) of the respondents indicated that coal burning led to deforestation; 329(86%) held that coal burning did not lead to erosion while 336(87%) indicated that coal burning did not lead to loss of biodiversity. In addition, the study sought to establish the steps that had been taken in the community to address the environmental impact of coal burning where the majority 328(85%) of the respondents held that no steps had been taken in the communities to address the environmental impact of coal burning. Additionally, 341(89%) were aware of campaigns against coal-burning. Moreover, 376(89%) of the respondents held that there were no regulations on coal use and 379(99%) indicated that there was no promotion of alternative fuels. Also, the study sought to establish how willing the people in the communities switch to alternative fuels. Further, the study sought to determine how prevalent was the use of coal for cooking and heating in your community. The majority 352(92%) of the respondents held that the use of coal for cooking and heating in the community was very prevalent. The majority 287(74.7%) of the respondents indicated that the people were not very willing. See Table 3.
Table 3
Statement | Frequency (%) |
Yes | No |
How does coal burn impact the environment in your community? |
A. Deforestation | 281(73%) | 103(27%) |
B. Erosion | 55(14%) | 329(86%) |
C. Loss of biodiversity | 48(13%) | 336(87%) |
What steps have been taken in your community to address the environmental impact of coal burning? |
A. None | 328(85%) | 56(15%) |
B. Awareness campaigns | 43(11%) | 341(89%) |
C. Regulation of coal use | 8(2%) | 376(89%) |
D. Promotion of alternative fuels | 5(1%) | 379(99%) |
How prevalent is the use of coal for cooking and heating in your community? |
A. Very prevalent | 352(92%) | 32(8%) |
B. Somewhat prevalent | 25(7%) | 359(93%) |
C. Not very prevalent | 5(1%) | 379(99%) |
D. Not at all prevalent | 5(1%) | 379(99%) |
How willing do you think people in your community would be to switch to alternative fuels? |
A. Very willing | 5(1%) | 379(99%) |
B. Somewhat willing | 14(3.6%) | 370(96.3%) |
C. Not very willing | 287(74.7%) | 97(25.2%) |
D. Not at all willing | 78(20.3%) | 306(79.6%) |
Animal Welfare |
The study aimed to establish the effects of coal burning effects of animals. The majority 276(72%) of the respondents indicated that coal burning did not affect animal welfare in Somalia. Also, the study established that 301(78%) of the respondents held that coal-burning sites did not destroy the natural habitats of animals. See Table 4.
Table 4
Statement | Frequency (Yes) | Frequency (No) |
Do you think coal burning affects animal welfare? | 108(28%) | 276(72%) |
Do you think coal-burning sites destroy the natural habitats of animals? | 83(22%) | 301(78%) |
The study further sought to establish the clinical symptoms observed in animals living in coal-burning sites. The majority 313(82%) of the respondents held that Pneumonia was a clinical symptom observed in animals living in coal burning; 319(83%) difficulty in breathing; 379(99%) indicated loss of wool was one of the clinical symptoms. In addition, the study sought to establish the types of animals most affected by coal burning in Somalia. A majority,195(51%) indicated livestock (e.g., camel, cattle, sheep, goats) was affected by coal burning; 354(92.1%) indicated no wildlife was affected; 350(91%) indicated domestic pets (e.g., dogs, cats) as most affected by coal-burning in Somalia. Additionally, the study sought to determine how aware were the people in the community of the negative impacts of coal burning on animal welfare. The majority 361(94%) of the respondents were not very aware; 201(52%) were not at all aware. Moreover, the study aimed to establish the importance of considering the impact of coal burning on animal welfare when addressing human health issues. The majority 375(98%) were not very important; 193(51%) were not at all important. See Table 5.
Table 5
Statement | Frequency (%) |
Yes | No |
What clinical symptoms are observed in animals living in coal-burning sites? |
A. Pneumonia | 71 (18.4%) | 313(82%) |
B. Difficulty in breathing | 65 (16.9%) | 319(83%) |
C. loss of wool | 5 (1%) | 379(99%) |
What types of animals are most affected by coal burning in your area? |
A. Livestock (e.g., camel, cattle, sheep, goats) | 195(51%) | 189(49%) |
B. Wildlife (e.g., birds, rodents, reptiles) | 30(8%) | 354(92%) |
C. Domestic pets (e.g., dogs, cats) | 34(9%) | 350(91%) |
How aware are people in your community of the negative impacts of coal burning on animal welfare? |
A. Very aware | 23(5.9%) | 361(94%) |
B. Somewhat aware | 35(9%) | 349(91%) |
C. Not at all aware | 201(52%) | 183(48%) |
How important is it to consider the impact of coal burning on animal welfare when addressing human health issues? |
A. Very important | 9(2%) | 375(98%) |
B. Somewhat important | 21(5%) | 363(95%) |
C. Not at all important | 193(51%) | 191(49%) |
Human Health
The study in addition, asked the respondents if they knew anyone in their household who experienced any health issues caused by coal burning. The majority 283(74%) of the respondents indicated that they or someone in their household experienced health issues caused by coal burning. On whether the urban coal burning affected the sleeping habits. The majority 353(92%) of the respondents indicate that urban coal burning affected the sleeping habits of the people. See Table 6.
Table 6
Statement | Frequency (Yes) | Frequency (No) |
Have you or anyone in your household experienced any health issues that you believe were caused by coal burning? | 283(74%) | 101(26%) |
Does urban coal burning affect your sleeping habits? | 353(92%) | 31(8%) |
Further, the study sought to establish how coal burning impacted the health of humans in the community. The majority 305(79%) had respiratory issues; 377(98%) indicated there were cardiovascular effects; 315(82%) had no eye and nose irritation and 381(99%) witnessed no death caused by coal burning in the community. Also, the study sought to determine the resources available in the community for treating health issues related to coal burning. The majority 367(96%) of the respondents indicated that resources were available in the community for treating health issues related to coal burning whereas 312(81%) indicated Traditional healers were available in the community for treating health issues related to coal burning although 329(86%) held that there were Local clinics or hospitals available in the community for treating health issues related to coal-burning. Moreover, the study aimed to establish how aware the community was of the negative impacts of coal burning on human health. The majority 371(97%) of the respondents were not very aware while 196(51%) were not at all aware of the negative impacts of coal burning on human health in the community. See Table 7.
See Table 7.
Statement | Frequency (%) |
Yes | No |
How does coal burn impact the health of humans in your community? |
Respiratory issues | 305(79%) | 79(21%) |
Cardiovascular effects | 7(2%) | 377(98%) |
Eye and nose irritation | 69(18%) | 315(82%) |
Death | 3(1%) | 381(99%) |
What resources are available in your community for treating health issues related to coal burning? |
None | 17(4%) | 367(96%) |
Local clinics or hospitals | 55(14%) | 329(86%) |
Traditional healers | 312(81%) | 72(19%) |
How aware are people in your community of the negative impacts of coal burning on human health? |
Very aware | 13(3%) | 371(97%) |
Somewhat aware | 21(5%) | 363(95%) |
Not at all aware | 188(49%) | 196(51%) |
One Health Approach
The study sought to establish whether the respondents had ever heard of the one health approach. The majority of 357 (93%) of the respondents indicated that they had not heard of one health approach. See Table 8. One health approach is a holistic and interdisciplinary strategy that recognizes the interconnection between human health, animal health, and the environment. It emphasizes the collaborative efforts of various sectors, including human medicine, veterinary medicine, environmental science, and public health, to address global health challenges effectively. The approach acknowledges that the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems are intricately linked and that comprehensive solutions are required to improve overall health outcomes. The One Health approach highlights the impact of environmental factors on health. Environmental degradation, climate change, and habitat loss disrupt ecosystems and lead to increased disease transmission, as well as other health risks. In considering the ecological context and addressing environmental issues, the One Health approach aimed to safeguard human and animal health sustainably.
Table 8
Statement | Frequency (Yes) | Frequency (No) |
Have you ever heard of the One Health approach? | 27(7%) | 357(93%) |
Awareness of One Health Approach
The study sought to determine the awareness of people in the community on one health approach. The majority 370(96%) of the respondents held that they were not very aware while 327(85%) were not aware at all. In addition, the study sought to how the one health approach could be used to address the triple burden of coal burning in Somalia. The majority 380(99%) indicated that the triple burden of coal burning in Somalia could not be addressed through one health approach by considering the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Further, 377(98%) indicated that promoting collaboration between different sectors (e.g., health, environment, agriculture) could not be addressed. Also, the study established that 378(98%) held that the triple burden of coal burning could not be addressed by developing interdisciplinary research and interventions. Additionally, 364(95%) indicated that they didn’t know how to address the triple burden of coal burning by use of one health approach. See Table 9.
Table 9
Awareness of One Health Approach
Statement | Frequency (%) |
Yes | No |
How aware are people in your community of the One Health approach? |
Very aware | 14(4%) | 370(96%) |
Somewhat aware | 18(5%) | 366(95%) |
Not at all aware | 327(85%) | 57(15%) |
How do you think the One Health approach can be used to address the triple burden of coal burning in Somalia? |
By considering the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health | 4(1%) | 380(99%) |
By promoting collaboration between different sectors (e.g., health, environment, agriculture) | 7(2%) | 377(98%) |
By developing interdisciplinary research and interventions | 6(2%) | 378(98%) |
All of the above | 3(1%) | 381(99%) |
I don’t know | 364(95%) | 20(5%) |
Prevention and Control of Coal Burning
Finally, the study sought to determine the problems associated with coal burning in Somalia. The majority 352(92%) of the respondents indicated that there was no environmental degradation; 377(98%) indicated a loss of livelihoods was not a problem associated with coal burning in Somalia. In addition, the majority 222(58%) indicated Dust problems were associated with coal burning in Somalia while 261(68%) of the respondents indicated Deforestation was not associated with coal burning in Somalia.
In addition, the study sought to determine the most pressing issue related to coal burning in Somalia. The majority 360(94%) indicated that Animal welfare was not a pressing issue related to coal burning in Somalia and 308(80%) held that environmental impact was the most pressing issue related to coal burning while 332(86%) indicated that human health was not a pressing issue related to coal burning in Somalia.
Further, the majority 269(70%) of the respondents indicated that the government should have done more to address the triple burden of coal burning in Somalia. In addition, the majority 305(79%) held that the government and community collaboration reduced the triple burden of coal burning in Somalia. Moreover, the majority 380(99%) agreed that the government failed to stop coal burning in Somalia while 287(75%) of the respondents suggested that the Somali government ban coal burning. See Table 10.
Table 10
Prevention and Control of Coal Burning
Statement | Frequency (%) |
Yes | No |
What are the problems associated with coal burning in Somalia? |
Environmental degradation | 32(8%) | 352(92%) |
Loss of livelihoods | 7(2%) | 377(98%) |
Dust problems | 222(58%) | 162(42%) |
Deforestation | 123(32%) | 261(68%) |
In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue related to coal burning in Somalia? |
Animal welfare | 24(6%) | 360(94%) |
Environmental impact | 308(80%) | 76(20%) |
Human health | 52(14%) | 332(86%) |
Do you believe the government should do more to address the triple burden of coal burning in Somalia? | 269(70%) | 115(30%) |
Did the government and community collaboration reduce the triple burden of coal burning in Somalia? | 305(79%) | 79(21%) |
Do you agree that the government failed to stop coal burning? | 380(99%) | 4(1%) |
Do you suggest that the Somali government ban coal burning? | 97(25%) | 287(75%) |