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Heat impact on schoolchildren in Cameroon, Africa: potential health threat from climate change

Author

Listed:
  • Dapi N., Léonie
  • Rocklov, Joacim
  • Nguefack-Tsague, Georges
  • Tetanye, Ekoe
  • Kjellstrom, Tord

Abstract

Background: Health impacts related to climate change are potentially an increasing problem in Cameroon, especially during hot seasons when there are no means for protective and adaptive actions. Objective: To describe environmental conditions in schools and to evaluate the impact of heat on schoolchildren’s health during school days in the Cameroon cities of Yaounde´ and Douala. Methods: Schoolchildren (N285) aged 1216 years from public secondary schools completed a questionnaire about their background, general symptoms, and hot feelings in a cross-sectional study. In Yaounde´, 50 schoolchildren were individually interviewed during school days about hourly symptoms (fatigue, headache, and feeling very hot) and performance. Lascar dataloggers were used to measure indoor classroom temperatures and humidity. Results: There was a significant correlation between daily indoor temperature and the percentages of schoolchildren who felt very hot, had fatigue, and headaches in Yaounde´. A high proportion of schoolchildren felt very hot (48%), had fatigue (76%), and headaches (38%) in Yaounde´. Prevalences (%) were higher among girls than boys for headaches (58 vs 39), feeling ‘very hot overall’ (37 vs 21), and ‘very hot in head’ (21 vs 18). Up to 62% were absentminded and 45% had slow writing speed. High indoor temperatures of 32.58C in Yaounde´ and 36.68C in Douala were observed in school. Conclusions: Headache, fatigue, and feeling very hot associated with high indoor air temperature were observed among schoolchildren in the present study. Longitudinal data in schools are needed to confirm these results. School environmental conditions should be improved in order to enhance learning.

Suggested Citation

  • Dapi N., Léonie & Rocklov, Joacim & Nguefack-Tsague, Georges & Tetanye, Ekoe & Kjellstrom, Tord, 2010. "Heat impact on schoolchildren in Cameroon, Africa: potential health threat from climate change," MPRA Paper 27335, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 06 Nov 2010.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:27335
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    Cited by:

    1. Vicky Pule & Angela Mathee & Paula Melariri & Thandi Kapwata & Nada Abdelatif & Yusentha Balakrishna & Zamantimande Kunene & Mirriam Mogotsi & Bianca Wernecke & Caradee Yael Wright, 2021. "Classroom Temperature and Learner Absenteeism in Public Primary Schools in the Eastern Cape, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Shalin Bidassey-Manilal & Caradee Y. Wright & Jacobus C. Engelbrecht & Patricia N. Albers & Rebecca M. Garland & Mamopeli Matooane, 2016. "Students’ Perceived Heat-Health Symptoms Increased with Warmer Classroom Temperatures," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-20, June.
    3. Shalin Bidassey-Manilal & Caradee Yael Wright & Thandi Kapwata & Joyce Shirinde, 2020. "A Study Protocol to Determine Heat-Related Health Impacts among Primary Schoolchildren in South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-12, July.
    4. Katlego P. Ncongwane & Joel O. Botai & Venkataraman Sivakumar & Christina M. Botai, 2021. "A Literature Review of the Impacts of Heat Stress on Human Health across Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-27, May.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    heat; fatigue; headache; very hot; indoor temperature; Cameroon; schoolchildren;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General

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