Review Article
Building Regulations Adaptation to Climate Change - A Comparative Literature Review of Selected African Countries’ Building Regulations
Mutinta Sichali*
,
Chibesa Mulenga
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 2, June 2025
Pages:
23-37
Received:
14 May 2025
Accepted:
5 June 2025
Published:
23 June 2025
Abstract: Climate change and its impact on the environment have caused many countries to rethink the way buildings are constructed, as cities have been experiencing extreme weather patterns like flooding. Building Regulations (BRs) can help to make buildings adaptable to climate change. Developed countries have come up with new energy codes while in developing countries little revision has been made to the current BRs. This study compared ten (10) countries in Africa (Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Botswana and Seychelles) to see how their BRs have been adapted to climate change. Using a comparative qualitative analysis of buildings’ structural integrity, lighting and ventilation, energy and sites, the results showed that few strategies to mitigate flooding, and high temperatures in buildings were considered. The countries where reviews were undertaken in the last 10 years (Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Seychelles) had more consideration for sustainable strategies like solar photovoltaic panels, rainwater harvesting and use of landscape to control site temperatures. The use of compact designs, Energy efficient methods of lighting, ventilation and flood mitigation were missing in the BRs except for Seychelles. There is a gap in literature because most countries have not published their recent revisions. The current BRs address the structural soundness of buildings with no specific strategies for flood waters and excessive heat. This study is unique in that it identified shortfalls in the current BRs to mitigate climate change and specific strategies were identified that can be used to update the BRs.
Abstract: Climate change and its impact on the environment have caused many countries to rethink the way buildings are constructed, as cities have been experiencing extreme weather patterns like flooding. Building Regulations (BRs) can help to make buildings adaptable to climate change. Developed countries have come up with new energy codes while in developi...
Show More
Research Article
Status of School-Based Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH) Resources and Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH) Infections in Rural Nigeria: A Pilot Study
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 2, June 2025
Pages:
38-47
Received:
4 June 2025
Accepted:
26 June 2025
Published:
18 July 2025
Abstract: This pilot study was undertaken to assess the status of school-based water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) resources and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) in Njikoka LGA of Anambra State, Nigeria. Two schools: Sir Herbert Nursery\Primary School (SHNPS) Enugwu Ukwu and St. Theresa Nursery\Primary School (STNPS) Nimo were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. The status and conditions of WASH resources were determined using the modified FMoH checklist for improved WASH intervention. Stool samples were also collected from 49 and 54 pupils in the respective schools, and screened for STH infections using direct smear and formol-ether concentration techniques. Test of statistical significance was done using Mann-Whitney, Cochran and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests in SPSS Version 25.0, at 5% significance level. Overall STH prevalence was 6.8%; 4.1% in SHNPS and 9.3% in STNPS (P > 0.05). Males and females recorded 9.3% and 4.1% prevalence respectively (P > 0.05). Age related prevalence were 2.7% and 17.9% for age groups 5-10 and 11-15 years respectively (P < 0.05). Parasite (STH) specific prevalence were 3.9%, 1.0%, and 1.9% for Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichuria and Hookworm respectively (P > 0.05). SHNPS versus STNPS recorded WASH scores of 5/5 vs. 2/5 for improved water source (P > 0.05), 4/5 vs. 3/5 for sanitation condition (P > 0.05) and 2/5 vs. 2/5 for environmental condition (P > 0.05). These findings revealed: presence of STH infection, poor and unequal WASH status in the study area. Standard of WASH facilities and practices should be improved in schools, and more health education provided to enable effective control of STH infections among school-aged children.
Abstract: This pilot study was undertaken to assess the status of school-based water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) resources and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) in Njikoka LGA of Anambra State, Nigeria. Two schools: Sir Herbert Nursery\Primary School (SHNPS) Enugwu Ukwu and St. Theresa Nursery\Primary School (STNPS) Nimo were selected using multi-stage...
Show More
