Tracking the Sensitivity of Early Childhood Diseases to Climate Variability in Niono District, Mali

Sally E. Findley, Columbia University
Nafoman Sogoba, University of Maryland
Moussa Dembele, Division of Health and Social Services, Mali
Deborah Balk, Columbia University
Malanding Jaiteh, Columbia University

There is a need to better understand climate-disease interactions to improve the targeting of IMCI and other interventions to reduce major childhood diseases. In fall 2001, retrospective surveys were conducted in six villages in Niono District, Mali, selected to contrast irrigated vs. dry- zone agriculture and arid vs. less arid sectors. The survey obtained data on household composition, migrations, agricultural production, disease incidence, and health care behavior for September 2001 and 1997 and 1999, when climate events occurred. Health consultations, rainfall and temperature data were obtained for 1995-2001. Both survey and consultation data showed marked seasonal and climate-related variations in major childhood diseases. Each disease illustrates a different seasonal and climate-related pattern. Logistic regression is used to control for the independent influence of a family's economic situation and health care patterns as well as irrigation in the village on the variation in disease.