Impact of Climate Change on the Prevalence of Climate-Sensitive Diseases in Bolori 2 Ward of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council of Borno State, Northeast Nigeria
Authors: Ahmed Abdulrahman , Jidda Abba , Yahaya Hadiza , Datti Umar 
Published: November 2024

If to say the importance of any element that increases disease prevalence could be measured by how it makes population vulnerable to diseases, then, climate change and its impacts must be mentioned much more than other direct or indirect causes and determinants of diseases. For more than a decade, climate change impacts have been one of the obstinate problems with greater burden on the public health sector, especially in the prevalence of climate-sensitive diseases. This study was explored to investigate the impacts of climate change on the prevalence of climate-sensitive diseases. The study was also conducted to investigate the perception and awareness of the households on climate change. To further find out and disclose the climate change prevalence of climate-sensitive diseases, and climate-health related impacts, and to explore the coping mechanisms and adaptation to the impact of climate change and climate- sensitive diseases prevalence respectively. The research was a mix-method research design. It was conducted in Bolori 2 ward of Maiduguri Metropolitan council of Borno state northeast Nigeria. The target population for study area was 138,875 according to Premier Urgence Internationale (PUI). The sample size was 383 obtained using Cochran formula. The instruments for data collection were meteorological data review for a decade interval, review of health facility records of climate- sensitive disease in the study area, and a structured questionnaire. The data were obtained, analyzed and presented using tables, frequency, percentage and charts. The result of the study revealed that there was an increase in the annual rainfall in the last decade. That’s from 2014 to 2024. The amount of rainfall in 2014 was 450mm per annum. And 550mm per annum in 2024. This significant increase in the annual rainfall in Bolori 2 justified the devastating flood in September 2024 which consumed nearly 70% of the Maiduguri metropolitan council of Borno state in northeast Nigeria. Additionally, the result also shows an increase in the temperature within the last decade (2014-2024). With 2014 having 30.5 °C and 2024 having 37.1 °C. This difference in temperature of 6.6°C increases the development cycle of vector-borne disease malaria. The elevation of temperatures within the last 5 to 10 years increases the proliferation of vibro cholerae, an agent that causes cholerae. Humidity may not have direct effects on cholerae, although humid and warmer environments support bacterial growth which increases the chances of waterborne diseases outbreak. The health facility records on climate-sensitive diseases prevalence indicated that there are long term increases in Malaria from 14.45 per 1,000 in the year 2014 to an increase up to 28.00 per 1,000 in the year 2024. This implies a 100% increase in the incidence of malaria disease as the most recognized climate sensitive diseases in Bolori 2 of Maiduguri Metropolitan council of Borno state northeast Nigeria. This also suggests that there is a growing burden in health, likely induces by climatic factors such as in the increase in rainfall, temperature which increasing mosquito breeding. In the prevalence it postulated that numerous percentages of the population were affected by malaria in 2014. temperature elevation led to more incidence of heatwaves which aggravate respiratory condition such as bronchitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Unstable temperature aid in increase respiratory infections specifically during dust storm. The increase in humidity trapped air pollutants worsening air quality and in turn increase respiratory infections, especially in vulnerable populations such as Bolori2. The prevalence of cholera began low as 0.24 per 1,000 in the year 2024. Continues change in the climate skyrocketed the incidence rate to 2.43 per 1,000 in the year 2024. This is entangled to the immense weather changing aiding in severe flooding in 2024 that contaminated various water sources from Maiduguri metropolis down to Bolori 2 instigating outbreak occurrences. Additionally, the prevalence of cholera is less in recent years, it became at a peak during flooding that affected nearly 70% of the Maiduguri city which affected about 90% of the communities in Bolori 2. The demographic data on the age of the respondents revealed that most of the respondents (33.68%) fall between the age range 36-50. Findings on the gender of the respondents shows that most of the respondents were female with 57.38% accounting for 221/383 of the respondents. On the educational level of the respondents,the findings show that many of the respondents (68.82%) 264/383 possessed tertiary education in Bolori 2. On occupation of the respondents, it revealed most of the respondents 46.21% are farmers. on the perceptions of climate of the Respondents indicated that most of the respondents (80.67%) have observed changes in weather conditions within 5-1o year interval. 88.25% of respondents indicated an increase in climate-sensitive diseases in their household. 52.74% of the respondents have affirmed that someone in their household has experienced malaria disease. 46.73% of the respondents opine that someone in their household has visited the health facility several times a month for treatment related to diseases. On climate-related or climate-sensitive health impact in Bolori 2. 87.98% of the respondents implied that extreme weather events such as heatwaves and floods have contributed to an increase in diseases in the Bolir 2 community. 54.30% of the respondents indicated that there are regular water shortages in their households. This implies that most of the respondents 54.30% indicated that that the change on rainfall pattern which causes regularly cause water shortages. 54.04% of the respondents used mosquito nets as a coping mechanism and adaptation strategy for the incidence of climate- sensitive diseases. 51.43% of the respondents indicated lack of healthcare access as one of the challenges they face in managing health impacts of climate change in their household. Based on the study, it is recommended the government, non-governmental organizations, communities, women to strengthen health infrastructure, improve access to healthcare, increase healthcare personal training and capacity building, strengthen diseases surveillance system, promotion of water sanitation and hygiene programs, improve access to clean water, increase public awareness campaigns, promotion of climate-smart agricultural practices, focusing on vulnerable for internation, increase community engagement, support women’s participation in health climate adaptation and monitoring and evaluation.