Healthcare Professionals' Perception of the Link Between Climate Variability and Respiratory Diseases in Northern and Southern Togo: A Case Study of Asthma in Savanah Region and Grand-Lome

Essoninam Passike Pokona^1, , Essohanam Boko², Pascal Yaka³ and Brama Kone⁴

¹West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), University of Lome, Lome, TOGO

²Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lome, Lome, TOGO

³Climate Services, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) West Africa Sub-regional Office, Dakar, SENEGAL

⁴Department of Research Programs, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Abidjan, COTE D’IVOIRE

Cite this paper:
Essoninam Passike Pokona, Essohanam Boko, Pascal Yaka and Brama Kone. Healthcare Professionals' Perception of the Link Between Climate Variability and Respiratory Diseases in Northern and Southern Togo: A Case Study of Asthma in Savanah Region and Grand-Lome. American Journal of Public Health Research. 2024; 12(2):33-39. doi: 10.12691/ajphr-12-2-3

Abstract

The impact of climate change and air pollution on respiratory diseases has garnered significant attention over the past decades. Despite this heightened interest, it remains the case that key stakeholders in the healthcare domain still lack comprehensive understanding of the potential existential links between climate, pollution, and health. This article aims to elucidate the level of comprehension regarding the relationship between climatic variables and atmospheric pollutants on the severity of asthma crises in Togo. Within the framework of this study, a survey was conducted in healthcare centers in the Savanah and Grand-Lomé regions, involving 338 healthcare professionals, comprising 65.4% males and 34.6% females, with surveyed profiles predominantly distributed as follows: 23% physicians, 49.6% nurses, and 27.4% medical assistants from various medical departments including pulmonology, pediatrics, and internal medicine services. The findings revealed that approximately 39.2% of participants had undergone training in climate change, indicating a growing awareness of the significance of this subject. However, the majority (46.6%) considered themselves to be beginners in the field of climate change. Regarding air pollution, 83.4% of participants exhibited some level of knowledge, indicating encouraging awareness. Most participants believed that climate contributes to asthma crises (75%) and acknowledged that air quality influences lung function (100%). Periods conducive to asthma crises included the harmattan season (56.7%), dry season (41.8%), with triggering factors including dust (100%) and smoke (59.1%). The integration of climate counseling in asthma treatment was reported by 90.3% of participants, highlighting significant awareness among healthcare professionals. However, the study revealed that the majority (82.8%) were unaware of the existence of national asthma surveillance and management documents. Furthermore, 95% of those aware of such documents were uncertain whether these documents consider climatic and environmental aspects. In conclusion, the study underscores the necessity for climate-proofing national strategic health documents, increased awareness, ongoing training, and integration of modules on the climate-health nexus into medical curricula

Keywords:
Climate variability respiratory diseases perception asthma healthcare professionals Togo

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