Effects of water hyacinth invasion on the health of the communities, and the education of children along River Tano and Abby-Tano Lagoon in Ghana

Figures & data

Table 1. Perception of major health problems in the study communities before and after water hyacinth invasion

Problems Before	Jaway Wharf	Takinta Wharf	Asukro	Adusuazo	Ellenda Wharf	Total
Malaria fever	58(52.7)	1(0.9)	4(3.6)	42(38.2)	5(4.5)	110(100.0%)
Cholera	1(25.0)	1(25.0)	–	1(25.0)	1(25.0)	4(100.0%)
Other	4(50.0)	–	–	4(50.0)	–	8(100.0%)
Cannot tell	77(42.1)	6(3.3)	12(6.6)	84(45.9)	4(2.2)	183(100.0%)
Total	140	8	16	131	10	305
Current problems
Malaria fever	105(44.1)	2(0.8)	12(5.0)	110(46.2)	9(3.8)	238(100.0%)
Cholera	–	1(20.0)	1(20.0)	2(40.0)	1(20.0)	5(100.0%)
Other	9(62.2)	3(23.1)	–	1(7.7)	–	13(100.0%)
Cannot tell	26(53.1)	2(4.1)	3(6.1)	18(36.7)	–	49(100.0%)
Total	140	8	16	131	10	305

Table 2. Water hyacinth invasion and major health problems in the Jomoro District

Responses	Jaway Wharf	Takinta Wharf	Asukro	Adusuazo	Ellenda Wharf	Total
Agree	38(47.5)	1(1.3)	2(2.5)	38(47.5)	1(1.3%)	80(100.0%)
Strongly agree	17(37.0)	–	4(8.7)	20(43.5)	5(10.9)	46(100.0%)
Disagree	25(48.1)	3(5.7)	2(3.8)	19(36.5)	3(5.7)	52(100.0%)
Strongly disagree	6(35.3%)	–	–	10(58.8%)	1(0.6%)	17(100.0%)
Cannot tell	54(49.1)	4(3.6)	8(7.3)	44(40.0)	–	110(100%)
Total	140	8	16	131	10	305

Figure 1. Map of Jomoro District showing the study areas and waterbodies.

Table 3. Percentage of respondents whose children crossed River Tano at Adusuazo to attend school

Responses	Jaway Wharf	Takinta Wharf	Asukro	Adusuazo	Ellenda Wharf	Total
Yes	–	–	–	20(100)	–	20(100.0%)
No	140(49.1)	8(2.8)	16(5.6)	111(38.9)	10(3.5)	285(100.0%)
Total	140	8	16	131	10	305

Figure 2. Effects of water hyacinth invasion on children’s education at Adusuazo.

Table 4. Coping strategies to health problems posed by water hyacinth in the Jomoro District

Responses	Jaway Wharf	Takinta Wharf	Asukro	Adusuazo	Ellenda Wharf	Total
Treated nets	28(39.4)	1(1.4)	3(4.2)	36(50.7)	3(4.2)	71(100.0%)
Medication	9(52.9)		2(11.8)	6(35.3)	–	17(100.0%)
Protective Clothing	12(100)	–		–	–	12(100.0%)
Treated nets and mosquito coil	6(54.5)	–	–	4(36.4)	1(9.1)	11(100.0%)
Mosquito coil	–	–	–	9(90)	1(10)	10(7.9%)
Use of insecticides	–		1(50)	1(50)	–	2(100%)
No measures	–		–	2(66.7)	1(33.3)	3(100%)
Total	55	1	6	58	6	126

Figure 3. Coping strategies for school attendance at Adusuazo.