PHYSICAL EXPOSURE: LIVED EXPERIENCES, SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC DRIVERS, AND ADAPTIVE RESILIENCE TO RECURRENT FLOODING IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Climate-related extreme events such as flooding affect communities differently, with their impacts shaped by geographical location, livelihood characteristics, and the socio-economic realities of exposed populations. For farming households, flooding represents more than environmental hazards; they constitute recurrent disruptions that threaten agricultural production, household income, food security, and overall well-being. This study examined the experiences, perceptions, and adaptive responses of farming households to flooding events with the objective of identifying context-specific factors influencing flooding vulnerability and informing resilience-building strategies in agricultural communities. A case study research design employing a mixed-methods approach was adopted. Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 129 farming households in two selected agricultural communities. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression, and chi-square analysis, whereas qualitative data were subjected to content and thematic analysis. The findings revealed that household flooding vulnerability was shaped by the interaction of socio-demographic characteristics, environmental exposure, and institutional constraints. The regression model was statistically significant (F = 6.813, p < 0.001), explaining 28.3% of the variation in household flooding vulnerability (R² = 0.283; Adjusted R² = 0.241). Educational attainment emerged as the strongest predictor (β = 0.362), followed by gender (β = 0.292), age (β = 0.222), and marital status (β = 0.217), while occupation, farming experience, and household income showed no significant influence. Qualitative evidence indicated that recurrent flooding caused extensive damage to crops, farmlands, and household assets, leading to declining agricultural productivity, income losses, and heightened food insecurity. Community resilience depended largely on collective social action and mutual support, whereas institutional assistance, access to credit, and technical support remained inadequate. The study recommends integrating indigenous knowledge with institutional flooding-risk management through strengthened early-warning systems, improved access to recovery finance, and participatory planning to enhance the adaptive capacity and long-term resilience of agricultural communities.