The Perception of Risk Communication among Residents of Mavoko Township in Regard to Industrial Air Pollution

Abstract

This study sought to establish the perception of risk communication among residents of Mavoko town with particular interest on industrial air pollution. The study had two objectives namely to ascertain the sources of risk communication on industrial air pollution and to find out the perceptions of risk communication among the residents of Mavoko township. The study used the democratic perspective of risk communication and the cultural theory of risk as its theoretical framework. The research methodology used was a survey research design involving quantitative and qualitative methods. Simple random sampling was used in the quantitative method where a household survey was conducted among selected formal and informal settlements. Purposive sampling was used in the qualitative method where in-depth interviews were conducted with selected representatives of office bearers conversant with the study topic. One hundred and seventy households were randomly sampled and in-depth interviews were conducted with seven representatives of offices and community elders. The study found out that the main sources of risk communication in Mavoko town were non formal that included personal identification of industrial air pollution and discussion with neighbors on the same. According to the democratic perspective of risk communication the study results showed that the public, industries and government do not engage as full partners due to non participation on the part of resident, non openness on nature of risk on the industries and lack of leadership to unite the two by the government. The cultural theory of risk demonstrated that residents were culturally constrained in their risk perception of industrial air pollution. The study found out that despite residents’ acknowledgement of industrial air pollution as a risk, a majority did not participate in any efforts to mitigate it thereby bringing out different ways of life expounded by the theory towards risk perception. The study also found out that, organizations in Mavoko town lacked comprehensive risk communication strategies. The study recommends greater use of mass media as tools for public risk information about industrial air pollution so as to make it an ‘everyday’ topic. It recommended better public participation as well as partnerships between industries, the public and the government.