Ambient Temperature Effects on Hospitalization Risk Among Farmers

Abstract

Objectives Assessing the effect of high temperatures on hospitalization for all causes and heat-sensitive diseases among Vietnamese farmers. Methods The Poisson Generalized Linear Model and Distributed Lag Non-linear Model were used to investigate the temperature-hospitalization association for all causes and seven cause-specific disease groups. Results Every 1 °C increase in daily mean temperature above the threshold increased the estimated relative risk [95% CI] of all-cause hospitalization by 1.022 [0.998–1.047] at the country level, 1.047 [1.007–1.089] in the south and 0.982 [0.958–1.006] in the north. Infectious disease hospitalization was most affected by high temperatures (1.098 [1.057–1.140]). High temperatures significantly increased the risk of all-cause hospitalization for farmers aged 60 years and under in three of the six provinces. Conclusions The findings emphasized the need for health promotion programs to prevent heat-related health issues.