Analyzing the Intersection of Flood Emergencies and Female Hygiene Care in Himachal Pradesh: Implications for Quality of life
Description
Floods, particularly rapid-onset floods, lead to significant harm to infrastructure, disturb human routines, and can lead to irreversible consequences. Himachal Pradesh is prone to frequent natural disasters, including earthquakes, landslides, cloudbursts, and flash floods, which occur with different degrees of intensity. Studies indicate that vulnerable groups, especially women and children, are disproportionately affected by catastrophic hazards, such as cyclones and floods. The critical challenges encountered by women during the flood primarily revolved around their reproductive and sexual health, matters that have received inadequate attention from global decision-makers up to the present day. To identify and analyze the unique problems and vulnerabilities encountered by women in terms of maintaining their hygiene and their general quality of life amid flood catastrophes. Between September 2023 and April 2024, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted to assess the impact of hygiene and quality of life on 358 flood-affected females in Himachal Pradesh. The study utilized a self-constructed Google Form questionnaire, distributed through social networks such as WhatsApp, Instagram, and Gmail, with data analysis and visualization performed using Google Forms' built-in features. The study revealed that 87.3% of women in Himachal Pradesh struggled to maintain hygiene during floods, significantly affecting their health and social interactions. Over two-thirds reported health issues due to inadequate sanitation, highlighting a crucial link between cleanliness and well-being. Despite challenges, strong community support aided recovery, with 80.7% of participants receiving vital help. These findings underscore the need for improved disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience to better protect vulnerable populations during crises. The study highlights the need for improved sanitation, healthcare, and social support systems to protect and enhance the resilience of vulnerable populations in Himachal Pradesh during floods, addressing significant hygiene, health, and socioeconomic challenges.