HUMAN-INDUCED MORTALITY INCIDENCE ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF OKU SUB-DIVISION, NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON

Mortality, which is inevitable and irrevocable, has been a major threat to mankind. Human-induced fatalities are still distressing in Oku Sub-Division. The degree of exposure of the population is very high wherein settlement and village activities are sited on montane steep slopes which are susceptible to landslides and extreme weather conditions. This is couple with poor access to healthcare. Human-induced mortality triggers and implications on the population of Oku needs to be seriously addressed in contemporary era. As such, this study uses a historical survey and comparative design of field investigation covering a period of 36years (1982 to 2018) to examine the human related scourges of mortality in Oku. Purposive sampling technique was used to administer questionnaires to selected key informants as well as through focus group participants from the entire population. Findings from a Chi-Square Test at 0.05 level of significance and a df of 6 portray that human-induced mortality incidence limits to an extent or is a deterrent to the socio-economic development of Oku leading to the conclusion that rapid population growth and limited space for settlement on the precarious mountainous environment is the key stressor on human life. Educating the population to avoid precipitous slopes susceptible to landslides can safe humanity, ensure sustainable livelihood and increase assets for socio-economic development.