Water resources resilience model in climate changes with community health approach: Qualitative study

Abstract

One of the major issues globally is climate change and its effects, which poses a significant challenge to both environmental and public health. The impact of climate change on water resources is particularly vulnerable. The aim of this research is to develop a community health-based model for improving water resources' resilience to climate change. A qualitative approach was used in this study to determine the various factors that influence the water resources resilience and climate changes. To achieve this aim, 20 semi-structured face-to-face or virtual interviews were performed with officials, experts and managers, and the data was analyzed using content analysis. Then, a model was developed. Following the collection and analysis of interview data, 689 meaning units were extracted in the initial stage. Then, by comparing, and integrating similar cases, resulting in 426 final codes. By merging these codes, 131 sub-categories were identified. After merging similar sub-categories, 19 categories were formed. Finally, the 19 categories were merged to obtain the main theme. The four main themes identified for shaping the resilience model include factors of climate change, consequences of climate change, dimensions of resilience, and solutions and strategies. Given the effects of climate change, particularly on human health, as well as on water resources, it is vital to enhance the capacity of water resources to withstand and adjust to climate change. Various approaches and plans for building the resilience of water resources in diverse sectors and regions must be taken into account.

Keywords

• Water resource
• Resilience
• Climate change
• Health
• Model