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The association between climatic factors and waterborne infectious outbreaks with a focus on vulnerability in Pakistan: integrative review.

Faiza SharifLaila ShahzadMasooma Batool
Published in: International journal of environmental health research (2024)
Climate change affects the spread of waterborne infectious diseases, yet research on vulnerability to outbreaks remains limited. This integrative review examines how climate variables (temperature and precipitation) relate to human vulnerability factors in Pakistan. By 2060, mean temperatures are projected to rise from 21.68°C (2021) to 30°C, with relatively stable precipitation. The epidemiological investigation in Pakistan identified Diarrhea (119,000 cases/year), Malaria (2.6 million cases/year), and Hepatitis (A and E) as the most prevalent infections. This research highlighted vulnerability factors, including poverty (52% of the population), illiteracy (59% of the population), limited healthcare accessibility (55% of the population), malnutrition (38% of the population), dietary challenges (48% of the population), as well as exposure to water pollution (80% of the population) and air pollution (55% of the population). The findings suggest that the coordinated strategies are vital across health, environmental, meteorological, and social sectors, considering climatic variability patterns and population vulnerability determinants.
Keyphrases
  • climate change
  • healthcare
  • air pollution
  • infectious diseases
  • mental health
  • human health
  • risk assessment
  • health information
  • clostridium difficile