scholarly journals Effect of roof colour on indoor temperature and human comfort levels, with implications for malaria control: a pilot study using experimental houses in rural Gambia

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Majo Carrasco-Tenezaca ◽  
Ebrima Jatta ◽  
Musa Jawara ◽  
John Bradley ◽  
Margaret Pinder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Bed Net ◽  
Bare Metal ◽  
Indoor Climate ◽  
Indoor Temperature ◽  
Maximum Temperature Difference ◽  
Human Comfort ◽  
Comfort Levels ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Background In rural sub-Saharan Africa, thatch roofs are being replaced by metal roofs. Metal roofing, however, increases indoor temperatures above human comfort levels, and thus makes it more likely that residents will not use an insecticide-treated bed net (ITN) at night. Whether the colour of a metal roof affects indoor temperature and human comfort was assessed. Methods Two identical, experimental houses were constructed with metal roofs in rural Gambia. Roof types were: (1) original bare-metal, (2) painted with red oxide primer or (3) white gloss, to reflect solar radiation. Pairwise comparisons were run in six, five-night blocks during the malaria season 2018. Indoor climate was measured in each house and multivariate analysis used to compare indoor temperatures during the day and night. Results From 21.00 to 23.59 h, when most residents decide whether to use an ITN or not, the indoor temperature of a house with a bare metal roof was 31.5 °C (95% CI  31.2–31.8 °C), a red roof, 30.3 °C (95% CI 30.0–30.6) and a white roof, 29.8 °C (95% CI 29.4–30.1). During the same period, red-roofed houses were 1.23 °C cooler (95% CI 1.22–1.23) and white roofs 1.74 °C cooler (95% CI 1.70–1.79) than bare-metal roofed houses (p  < 0.001). Similar results were found from 00.00 to 06.00 h. Maximum daily temperatures were 0.93 °C lower in a white-roofed house (95% CI  0.10–0.30, p  < 0.001), but not a red roof (mean maximum temperature difference  = 0.44 °C warmer, 95% CI  0.43–0.45, p  = 0.081), compared with the bare-metal roofed houses. Human comfort analysis showed that from 21.00 to 23.59 h houses with white roofs (comfortable for 87% time) were more comfortable than bare-metal roofed houses (comfortable for 13% time; odds ratio  = 43.7, 95% CI 27.5–69.5, p  < 0.001). The cost of painting a metal roof white is approximately 31–68 USD. Conclusions Houses with a white roof were consistently cooler and more comfortable than those with a bare metal roof. Painting the roofs of houses white is a cheap way of making a dwelling more comfortable for the occupants and could potentially increase bed net use in hot humid countries.

scholarly journals Effect of roof colour on indoor temperature and human comfort levels, with implications for malaria control: a pilot study using experimental houses in rural Gambia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Majo Carrasco-Tenezaca ◽  
Musa Jawara ◽  
John Bradley ◽  
Margaret Pinder ◽  
Umberto D’Alessandro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Bare Metal ◽  
Indoor Climate ◽  
Indoor Temperature ◽  
Maximum Temperature Difference ◽  
Human Comfort ◽  
Comfort Levels ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Background In rural sub-Saharan Africa, thatch roofs are being replaced by metal roofs. Metal roofing, however, increases indoor temperatures above human comfort levels, and thus makes it more likely that residents will not use an insecticide-treated bednet (ITN) at night. We assessed whether the colour of a metal roof affects indoor temperature and human comfort. Methods Two identical, experimental houses were constructed with metal roofs in rural Gambia. Roof types were: (1) original bare-metal, (2) painted with red oxide primer or (3) white gloss, to reflect solar radiation. Pairwise comparisons were run in six, five-night blocks during the malaria season 2018. Indoor climate was measured in each house and multivariate analysis used to compare indoor temperatures during the day and night. Results From 21.00 h to 23.59 h, when most residents decide whether to use an ITN or not, the indoor temperature of a house with a bare metal roof was 31.5 ºC (95%CI = 31.2–31.8 ºC), a red roof, 30.3 ºC (95%CI = 30.0-30.6) and a white roof, 29.8 ºC (95%CI = 29.4–30.1). During the same period, red-roofed houses were 1.23 oC cooler (95%CI = 1.22–1.23) and white roofs 1.74 oC cooler (95%CI = 1.70–1.79) than bare-metal roofed houses (p < 0.001). Similar results were found from 00.00 h to 06.00 h. Maximum daily temperatures were 0.93 oC lower in a white-roofed house (95%CI = 0.10–0.30, p < 0.001), but not a red roof (mean maximum temperature difference = 0.44 oC warmer, 95%CI = 0.43–0.45, p = 0.081), compared with the bare-metal roofed houses. Human comfort analysis showed that from 21.00 h to 23.59 h houses with white roofs (comfortable for 87% time) were more comfortable than bare-metal roofed houses (comfortable for 13% time; odds ratio = 43.7, 95%CI:27.5–69.5, p < 0.001). The cost of painting a metal roof white is approximately 31–68 USD. Conclusions Houses with a white roof were consistently cooler and more comfortable than those with a bare metal roof. Painting the roofs of houses white is a cheap way of making a dwelling more comfortable for the occupants and could potentially increase bed-net use in hot humid countries.

Effect of Tree Shading on the Thermal Load of a House in a Warm Climate Zone in Mexico

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Chagolla ◽  
G. Alvarez ◽  
E. Simá ◽  
R. Tovar ◽  
G. Huelsz
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Increase ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Warm Climate ◽  
Indoor Temperature ◽  
Maximum Temperature Difference ◽  
Energy Plus ◽  
Test House ◽  
Simulation Results ◽  
North Latitude

This paper presents the effect of the shade of a tree on the indoor temperature and thermal loads of a house (test house) located in the State of Morelos, Mexico, 18° 50′ 43″ north latitude and 99° 10′ 44″ west longitude. Energy Plus was used to simulate different geometries of the shadow of a tree and the simulation results were compared with experimental measurements of the house without air-conditioning, for one warm and one cold week of the year 2011. The results showed that the maximum temperature difference between the measured and simulated temperatures with both geometry models of tree-shading was 1.7°C. When the effect of tree shading is not considered, it was found that there is a maximum temperature increase of 4°C in the warm week compared with the measured results. In the cold week, the temperature increase was 1.3°C compared with the measured results. Simulation results for an air-conditioned tree-shaded test house show that total annual energy consumption for cooling and heating to achieve thermal comfort represents a substantial energy savings of 76.6% when compared with an unshaded house.

scholarly journals Costs of insecticide-treated bed net distribution systems in sub-Saharan Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara S. Scates ◽  
Timothy P. Finn ◽  
Janna Wisniewski ◽  
David Dadi ◽  
Renata Mandike ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Bed Net ◽  
Sub Saharan

scholarly journals Relationship of irrigated wheat yield with temperature in hot environments of Sudan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abuelgasim I. I. Musa ◽  
Mitsuru Tsubo ◽  
Imad-Eldin A. Ali-Babiker ◽  
Toshichika Iizumi ◽  
Yasunori Kurosaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regional Scale ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Yield Data ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Northern State ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Irrigated Wheat

AbstractA negative effect of increasing temperature on wheat production in the coming decades has been projected for Sudan, which is a major wheat producer in Sub-Saharan Africa. Wheat is susceptible to high temperature, so trend analysis of historical yields together with observed temperature is critical for understanding the effect of climate change. The objective of this study was to determine the association between yield of irrigated wheat in hot drylands of Sudan and temperature during the growing season (November–February). Regional-scale yield data in three major wheat-producing areas (Northern State, Gezira State, and Kassala State) in 48 crop seasons (1970/71–2017/18) were used to determine the correlation of yield with maximum (TMAX) and minimum temperatures (TMIN) at representative meteorological stations (Dongola, Wad Medani, and New Halfa, respectively). Frequencies of days with maximum temperature above 35 °C (THD) and minimum temperature above 20 °C (THN) were also used for correlation analysis. In all three areas, regression analysis detected upward trends in the growing-season temperature. The increase in temperature was particularly evident at Dongola, although no such trend has been reported previously. The yields were negatively correlated with the growing-season temperature, particularly THN in Northern State, TMAX in Gezira State, and TMIN in Kassala State. These results confirm that the recent increase in the growing-season temperature might have reduced the yield to some extent in the breadbasket of Sudan.

scholarly journals A Scoping Review of Selected Studies on Predictor Variables Associated with the Malaria Status among Children under Five Years in Sub-Saharan Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2119
Author(s):  
Phillips Edomwonyi Obasohan ◽  
Stephen J. Walters ◽  
Richard Jacques ◽  
Khaled Khatab
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
Bed Net ◽  
Children Under Five ◽  
Under Five ◽  
The World ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Effective Distribution

Background/Purpose: In recent times, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) had been rated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the most malaria-endemic region in the world. Evidence synthesis of the factors associated with malaria among children aged under-five in SSA is urgently needed. This would help to inform decisions that policymakers and executors in the region need to make for the effective distribution of scarce palliative resources to curb the spread of the illness. This scoping review is aimed at identifying studies that have used multivariate classical regression analysis to determine the predictors associated with malaria among children under five years old in SSA. Methods/Design: The search terms followed population, intervention, comparator, outcome, timing, setting (PICOTS), and were used in searching through the following databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Scopus, and Measure DHS. The databases were searched for published articles from January 1990 to December 2020. Results: Among the 1154 studies identified, only thirteen (13) studies met the study’s inclusion criteria. Narrative syntheses were performed on the selected papers to synchronize the various predictors identified. Factors ranging from child-related (age, birth order and use of a bed net), parental/household-related (maternal age and education status, household wealth index) and community-related variables (community wealth status, free bed net distribution) were some of the identified significant predictors. Conclusions: It is timely to have a synthesis of predictors that influence the malaria status of children under-five in SSA. The outcome of the review will increase the knowledge of the epidemiology of morbidity that will form the basis for designing efficient and cost-effective distribution of palliatives and control of malaria in SSA.

Verification of Seasonal Climate Forecast toward Hydroclimatic Information Needs of Rice Farmers in Northern Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Nyadzi ◽  
E. Saskia Werners ◽  
Robbert Biesbroek ◽  
Phi Hoang Long ◽  
Wietse Franssen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lead Time ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Seasonal Climate ◽  
Rice Farmers ◽  
Frequency Of Use ◽  
Forecast Lead Time ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Farmers in sub-Saharan Africa face many difficulties when making farming decisions due to unexpected changes in weather and climate. Access to hydroclimatic information can potentially assist farmers to adapt. This study explores the extent to which seasonal climate forecasts can meet hydroclimatic information needs of rice farmers in northern Ghana. First, 62 rice farmers across 12 communities were interviewed about their information needs. Results showed that importance of hydroclimatic information depends on the frequency of use and farming type (rain-fed, irrigated, or both). Generally, farmers perceived rainfall distribution, dam water level, and temperature as very important information, followed by total rainfall amount and onset ranked as important. These findings informed our skills assessment of rainfall (Prcp), minimum temperature (Tmin), and maximum temperature (Tmax) from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF-S4) and at lead times of 0 to 2 months. Forecast bias, correlation, and skills for all variables vary with season and location but are generally unsystematic and relatively constant with forecast lead time. Making it possible to meet farmers’ needs at their most preferred lead time of 1 month before the farming season. ECMWF-S4 exhibited skill in Prcp, Tmin, and Tmax in northern Ghana except for a few grid cells in MAM for Prcp and SON for Tmin and Tmax. Tmin and Tmax forecasts were more skillful than Prcp. We conclude that the participatory coproduction approach used in this study provides better insight for understanding demand-driven climate information services and that the ECMWF-S4 seasonal forecast system has the potential to provide actionable hydroclimatic information that may support farmers’ decisions.

RTS,S/AS01, a vaccine targeting pre-erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
pp. 533-537
Author(s):  
Lorenz von Seidlein ◽  
Borimas Hanboonkunupakarn ◽  
Podjanee Jittmala ◽  
Sasithon Pukrittayakamee
Keyword(s):  
Protective Efficacy ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
European Medicines Agency ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Pivotal Phase ◽  
Malaria Epidemiology ◽  
Maximum Benefit ◽  
Sub Saharan

RTS,S/AS01 is the most advanced vaccine to prevent malaria. It is safe and moderately effective. A large pivotal phase III trial in over 15 000 young children in sub-Saharan Africa completed in 2014 showed that the vaccine could protect around one-third of children (aged 5–17 months) and one-fourth of infants (aged 6–12 weeks) from uncomplicated falciparum malaria. The European Medicines Agency approved licensing and programmatic roll-out of the RTSS vaccine in malaria endemic countries in sub-Saharan Africa. WHO is planning further studies in a large Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme, in more than 400 000 young African children. With the changing malaria epidemiology in Africa resulting in older children at risk, alternative modes of employment are under evaluation, for example the use of RTS,S/AS01 in older children as part of seasonal malaria prophylaxis. Another strategy is combining mass drug administrations with mass vaccine campaigns for all age groups in regional malaria elimination campaigns. A phase II trial is ongoing to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the RTSS in combination with antimalarial drugs in Thailand. Such novel approaches aim to extract the maximum benefit from the well-documented, short-lasting protective efficacy of RTS,S/AS01.

Mortality and Society in Sub-Saharan Africa

1993 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 555-556
Author(s):  
Lado Ruzicka
Keyword(s):  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sub Saharan
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