Determinants of vulnerability of small-scale business to sandstorm disaster in Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Sandstorm disaster is a disaster with a seasonal pattern of occurrence in northern Nigeria. The study assessed the vulnerability of small-scale businesses to sandstorm disasters in the Guyuk Local Government Area of Adamawa State. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted to study 161 small-scale businesses, using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Businesses’ vulnerability was determined using an adapted matrix that considered risk and adaptive capacity, and was summarised using frequencies and percentages. Pattern and determinants of vulnerability were determined using factor analysis and multinomial logistic regression, respectively. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The causes of sandstorms were viewed by respondents as both scientific and supernatural. Most respondents exhibited medium vulnerability, 80 (46.5%), followed by high vulnerability, 63 (36.6%). There were significant associations between business vulnerability and sociodemographic variables like religion, level of education, type of structures housing the business, and house ownership status of the business owners. Religion significantly predicted both medium [OR = 0.229; p < 0.05] and high vulnerability [OR = 0.195; p < 0.05]. Small-scale businesses were mostly at a moderate to high level of vulnerability to sandstorm disasters. Coordinated mitigation efforts are required from the government and other stakeholders in addressing the challenge, considering its seasonality.