A systematic review on the association between the climatic factors and the prevalence of disease in the Philippines with respect to the trends in other Southeast Asian countries

• Main Authors: Gregorio, Kyle Justine R, Guzman, Ysabelle Marian M
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2022
• Subjects: Diseases > Philippines; Climatic changes; Biology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdb_bio/14; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=etdb_bio
• Institution: De La Salle University

Climate change has led to the surge in several diseases posing a serious health risk besides affecting the economies of the countries. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of six climate-induced diseases and their correlation with temperature and precipitation in the Philippines and compare it with the trends in other Southeast Asian countries using systematic review approach. Using the databases (PLOS NTDs and PubMed), a systematic review was conducted under PRISMA guidelines. Studies from 1990 to 2020 on six diseases in Southeast Asia were included, screened, and ranked by three independent authors through the JBI checklist. Data from Philippines were analyzed and correlated with temperature and precipitation.22 studies were included in the review, with all having a score of at least 7 in the JBI checklist. Dengue has increased for the past 30 years throughout Southeast Asia, while malaria, malnutrition, leptospirosis, and cholera decreased. Correlations showed that increase in temperature affects malaria and dengue cases, while precipitation affects stunting, cholera, and leptospirosis. No correlation was found between heat and electricity consumption however, it negatively impacts people’s behavior. The findings presented show the relevance and feasibility of doing systematic review on climate change and human health and disease prevalence trends specific to a particular location and region. The study found that five out of six included diseases in the study are correlated with a climatic factor while one negatively affects people’s lifestyle. Since the Philippines is at a high risk for effects brought by climate change, it is important to improve the health care system to cater to the possible surge in these diseases in the near future.