Environmental heat stress on maternal physiology and fetal blood flow in pregnant subsistence farmers in The Gambia, west Africa: an observational cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Anthropogenic climate change has caused extreme temperatures worldwide, with data showing that sub-Saharan Africa is especially vulnerable to these changes. In sub-Saharan Africa, women comprise 50% of the agricultural workforce, often working throughout pregnancy despite heat exposure increasing the risk of adverse birth outcomes. In this study, we aimed to improve understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for the adverse health outcomes resulting from environmental heat stress in pregnant subsistence farmers. We also aimed to provide data to establish whether environmental heat stress also has physiological effects on the fetus.

Methods

We conducted an observational cohort study in West Kiang, The Gambia, at the field station for the Medical

SUBMITTER: Bonell A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9756110 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature