Vagues de chaleur et santé des enfants à Ouagadougou

It is generally recognized by the scientific community that the risk of morbidity increases during heatwaves. However, there are important differences in regard to the vulnerability of populations to increased temperatures. The effect of temperature on morbidity differs depending on several factors, including age. Children are one of the most vulnerable groups when it comes to heatwaves due to physiological and behavioral reasons (Hutter et al., 2007; Thompson et al., 2012). This study aims to analyze the influence of differential vulnerability on children’s health during heatwaves in Ouagadougou. The analysis of vulnerability on environmental risks takes into account the fragile conditions of individuals that can lead to experiences of suffering and dependence on others. Consequently, it influences the capacity to cope with and recover from disasters (Becerra, 2012; Muttarak et al., 2015).  The data used were collected by the Ouagadougou Population Observatory (OPO) from March to May 2017 during a survey on the vulnerability and adaptability of the OPO population to heatwaves. The cross-sectional data brings together a random subsample of 332 children aged five and under, living in five neighborhoods in the northern outskirts of Ouagadougou. We first analyze them using crosstabs, chi-2 tests and factor analysis. Ordinal logistic regressions are then performed to study the strength and significance of the associations between the prevalence of symptoms during heatwaves and the variables associated with climatic vulnerability.  Descriptive analysis reveals unexpected associations between the prevalence of certain symptoms in children during heatwaves and several independent variables. An in-depth analysis carried out with the use of ordinal logistic regressions shows that the results do not support our initial hypotheses. For example, when we study the gross effects of the independent variables on the dependent variable, we found that children with mothers who do not tend to provide extra help to very young children during intense periods of heat are more likely to be symptom-free than to have symptoms (OR = 0.60 * (0,36 ; 1,01), at the significant limit of 10%), compared to children with mothers who provide extra help. We also note that children whose room roof is insulated or built with cement / concrete (slab) are more likely to show symptoms during heat waves than to not show symptoms (OR = 1.68 * (0,97 ; 2,91), at the significant limit of 10%), compared to children whose room roof is made of galvanized sheet metal / metal / tinplate / zinc. Nevertheless, these results are very weakly significant (10% threshold) from a small sample size. Thus, the fact that the results are at the limit of significance at 10% leads us to interpret the existence of links between these variables cautiously. In an attempt to explain these results, we suspect that there is a bias in the self-reported symptoms.  Data limitations include self-reporting of symptoms, small sample size, the cross-sectional nature of the data, and the presence of recall bias related to memory problems. Given these methodological limitations, it would be necessary to confirm our results with those obtained in future research. However, the results obtained may help guide future research about the effect of heatwaves on children’s health in Sahel.

Keyphrases: Sahel, Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, Climate vulnerability, Temperatures, Heat waves, Children's health, Disease symptoms, Morbidity