Management of Water Resources and Health Promotion in Drought: An Indigenous Knowledge-Based Qualitative Study

Introduction: Drought is a slow-onset natural disasters and a gradual concern. Throughout the centuries, Iranians have applied various methods to preserve water resources and adjust themselves to the drought. This study was conducted with the aim of preserving water resources by households during a drought with the approach of indigenous knowledge. Material and Methods: The study was carried out from April 2017 to June 2018. A qualitative content analysis method was used to obtain insight into personal experiences. A purposive sampling method was used to select 15 participants. The research population consisted of native villagers who lived in rural areas near the three main plains of Yazd province (Yazd-Ardakan plain, Abarkouh plain, and Herat Va Marvast plain). Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: The components related to indigenous knowledge were placed in 4 categories and 15 sub-categories. The main categories were personal hygiene, conservation of scarce resources, prediction of drought, and classification of water in terms of quality and its supply sources. Conclusion: Indigenous knowledge reflects several generations of experience. This knowledge is a valuable resource about how local communities interact with their ever-changing environments. We must pay attention to personal health behaviors and how our ancestors used and preserved scarce resources. It is necessary to identify and correct these behaviors and support them through proper management and financial resources at the community level. To preserve water resources in droughts, it is essential to use appropriate management and policy-making and motivational methods, and educate families.