The Effect of High Temperatures on Risk of Hospitalization in Northern Vietnam
Abstract The evidence on the temperature and morbidity relationship is limited, especially from tropical regions including Vietnam. This study’s objective was to examine the high temperature-hospitalisation relationship in northern Vietnam. To assess ambient temperature hospitalizations associations in seven provinces of northern Vietnam Generalized Linear and Distributed Lag Models were used. Overall risk for all causes, and infectious, cardiovascular, and respiratory admissions in study provinces was estimated using a random-effects meta-analysis. The pooled estimates showed a significant effect of high temperature on same day (Lag 0) hospitalizations. A 1°C increase in temperature was significantly associated with 1.1% (95% Confidence Interval- CI, 0.9–1.4%) increase in risk for all-cause, 2.4% (95% CI, 1.9–2.9%) increase in risk for infectious, 1.3% (95% CI, 0.9–1.6%) increase in risk for respiratory, and 0.5% (95% CI, 0.1–0.9%) increase in risk for cardiovascular disease admissions. However, the province specific temperature-hospitalisation effect was variable and mostly inconsistent for cardiovascular diseases. Our research in northern Vietnam adds to the evidence of high temperatures associated with hospitalisations in a sub-tropical climate. Our findings have important implications for promoting appropriate adaptation strategies to reduce climate change associated health impacts in similar settings.