Analysis of Pneumonia Occurrence in Relation to Climate Change in Tanga, Tanzania

Abstract

In 2018, 70% of global fatalities due to pneumonia occurred in about fifteen countries, with Tanzania being among the top eight countries contributing to these deaths. Environmental and individual factors contributing to these deaths may be multifaceted, but they have not yet been explored in Tanzania. Therefore, in this study, we explore the association between climate change and the occurrence of pneumonia in the Tanga Region, Tanzania. A time series study design was employed using meteorological and health data of the Tanga Region collected from January 2016 to December 2018 from the Tanzania Meteorological Authority and Health Management Information System, respectively. The generalized negative binomial regression technique was used to explore the associations between climate indicators (i.e., precipitation, humidity, and temperature) and the occurrence of pneumonia. There were trend differences in climate indicators and the occurrence of pneumonia between the Tanga and Handeni districts. We found a positive association between humidity and increased rates of non-severe pneumonia (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.01–1.02; p ≤ 0.05) and severe pneumonia (IRR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01–1.03; p ≤ 0.05). There was also a significant association between cold temperatures and the rate of severe pneumonia in Tanga (IRR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.11–1.33; p ≤ 0.001). Other factors that were associated with pneumonia included age and district of residence. We found a positive relationship between humidity, temperature, and incidence of pneumonia in the Tanga Region. Policies focusing on prevention and control, as well as promotion strategies relating to climate change-related health effects should be developed and implemented.

Association of Socio-Demographic and Climatic Factors with the Duration of Hospital Stay of Under-Five Children with Severe Pneumonia in Urban Bangladesh: An Observational Study

“…We observed the trend of humidity variation increasing in summer, average rainfall and rainfall variation in the rainy season, with increasing number of monthly patients' stay in the hospital. Similar findings were observed in other studies [2,10]. We assessed variations in the climatic factors, particularly the ambient temperature, humidity, and rainfall with the LoS of underfive children with severe pneumonia.…”

“…Pneumonia is a leading cause of death accounting for about 15% of all deaths underfive years old, particularly in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa in 2017 [1]. Several socio-demographic factors, such as age and gender, have been shown to be associated with the severity of pneumonia [2,3]. Children aged one month to five years old, and being male, are more likely to present with pneumonia [2,3].…”

“…Several socio-demographic factors, such as age and gender, have been shown to be associated with the severity of pneumonia [2,3]. Children aged one month to five years old, and being male, are more likely to present with pneumonia [2,3]. It has also been reported that a lack of maternal education and lower family income are significantly related to the increase in severity of childhood pneumonia [4].…”

“…The duration of the hospital stay is usually indicative of the severity of disease [15], and its rise causes a significant economic burden in both developed and developing countries [16]. The peak of daily temperature, humidity, and rainfall increases the risk of childhood pneumonia [2,10]. Therefore, climate variability can affect the severity of childhood pneumonia and might influence the length of the hospital stay.…”

Introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in humanitarian and fragile contexts: Perspectives from stakeholders in four African countries

“…Current research forecasts that the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases will be influenced worldwide by climate change, for instance through increased humidity and rainfall which affects the burden of respiratory diseases. 28 , 29 Further, climatic changes can impact prevention strategies such as vaccination, with vaccine storage, transportation, and routine immunization coverage being negatively affected. Our participants discussed heat waves as affecting the cold chain in Chad, and they described flooding as increasing the cost of vaccine transportation in South Sudan.…”