Ambient temperature, rainfall, and adverse maternal and child health outcomes in Nigeria

Evidence from a national cross-sectional study

Bibliographic Data

ID22076042
AuthorsAsri Maharani (0000-0002-5931-8692, University of Manchester), Tung Le (0000-0002-9900-7047, University of Manchester), T U Le (University of Manchester), Jahanara Miah (0000-0002-2122-7007, University of Manchester), Zahra Mulla (0009-0008-9482-396X, University of Manchester), Amy Blakemore (0000-0003-0972-100X, University of Manchester), Deborah Oyine Aluh (0000-0001-6939-5547, University of Nigeria), Deborah Aluh (University of Bolton), John Jemisenia (University of Nigeria), Ngozi Idemili-Aronu (0000-0001-9719-8153, University of Nigeria), Echezona E Ezeanolue (0000-0002-6294-9479, University of Nigeria), Martie van Tongeren (0000-0002-1205-1898, University of Manchester), Rathi Ravindrarajah (0000-0003-4875-4912, University of Manchester), Rathi id_orcid Ravindrarajah (University of Manchester)
Year2026
Volume14
Publication date2026-06-29
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2026.1841642
OpenAlexW7166533664
LanguageEN
References cited52

Background Climate change increasingly threatens public health in West Africa, with pregnant women and young children particularly vulnerable. Despite Nigeria’s high exposure to climate risks, epidemiological evidence linking temperature and rainfall to maternal and child health remains limited. This study addresses this gap using nationally representative data. Methods We analysed data from the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, including 27,783 mother–child pairs. Climate exposures, i.e., daytime land surface temperature (°C) and annual rainfall (mm), were derived from the 2020 Nigeria Geospatial Covariates dataset and linked to 2024 DHS cluster geolocations. Child health outcomes included stunting, wasting, underweight, and fever. Maternal outcomes included anaemia, postpartum distress, and a composite healthcare access index. Multilevel mixed-effects regression models with survey weights were applied. Results Higher temperatures were associated with increased odds of stunting (aOR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04–1.22), wasting (aOR 1.15, 95% CI 1.02–1.29), underweight (aOR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04–1.21), and fever (aOR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01–1.16) in children. Among mothers, higher temperatures were linked to greater postpartum distress ( β = 0.03, p < 0.05) and reduced healthcare access ( β = −0.07, p < 0.01), but not anaemia. A negative interaction between temperature and rainfall suggested attenuation of heat effects on underweight and healthcare access in wetter areas. Poverty and low maternal education amplified risks. Conclusion Higher temperatures are associated with poorer maternal and child health outcomes in Nigeria, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Integrating climate adaptation into maternal and child health programmes is essential, especially in high-risk regions

Health care · Odds · Odds ratio · Postpartum period · Poverty · Public health · Underweight · Wasting · Climate Change and Health Impacts · Climate change impacts on agriculture · Climate variability and models · Epidemiology