Climate change and potential impacts on birth outcome: A correlational study in Musina Hospital at Vhembe District, Limpopo Province

Abstract

Introduction: Climate change continues to pose a life-threatening risk to human health, particularly affecting pregnant mothers and the elderly. As a result, these groups are experiencing heightened harm. Climate change impacts both foetal and maternal health, leading to complications such as prematurity, low birth weight, stillbirth, neonatal jaundice, and hearing loss. On the maternal side, climate change contributes to pregnancy-induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia, and gestational diabetes. These are some of the complications that many studies dwell on regarding climate change and its impact on pregnancy outcomes. Objectives: To determine climate change and its potential impact on birth outcomes in Musina Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, and to investigate the seasonal temperature changes and birth weight of infants. Methods: Data were collected on patient medical records from 2019 to 2022 in the Musina Hospital in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, using a checklist book to tick all information related to the study. Results Article 1: The study revealed that climate change significantly impacts pregnancy outcomes. Ambient temperature exposure was found to be associated with adverse pregnancy effects such as premature delivery, low birth weight, and stillborn. However, on the maternal side, pregnant mothers were found to be affected by various conditions such as pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, pré-eclampsia, and eclampsia. Neonates experience neonatal jaundice, cardiovascular diseases, developmental problems, hearing loss, etc. Article 2: The study revealed a negative correlation with successive years. Throughout successive years, the results showed that the majority of mothers are suffering from pregnancy-induced hypertension compared to other maternal conditions. On the neonatal side, the high premature rate was noted compared to other neonatal conditions. Article 3: The results show a negative and positive correlation between ambient seasonal temperature and birth weight. Birth weight was less affected in milder temperatures compared to harsher temperatures. Seasonal ambient temperature showed an impact on pregnant women and the weight of their babies growing inside the uterus. Recommendations and Conclusion: An awareness campaign should be launched that gathers all community members and educates them about the health risks associated with ambient temperature exposure during pregnancy. Healthcare providers should ensure that every healthcare facility has cooling resilience, such as air conditioners and fans. The Department of Health should ensure that expectant mothers receive education on the risks of high ambient temperatures on pregnancy outcomes and the strategies to mitigate these risks. Climate change puts pregnant women at risk of experiencing heat-related illness, which in turn affects their pregnancy and unborn babies. Strategies that mitigate high temperature exposure will help the next generation of expectant mothers to carry their pregnancies to term without facing any complications.