Climate Change and Impacts on Human Health: An Experience of Coastal Region People in Bangladesh

Abstract

Climate change is a pressing issue, particularly impacting Bangladesh. It poses a serious threat to human health. Different catastrophic environmental disasters disproportionately affect the poor and vulnerable, especially in Bangladesh's coastal regions. The current study examines the mental and physical health risks faced by climate change in coastal areas. We employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research, and the study was conducted among 280 individuals using a stratified random sampling method from Chittagong, Noakhali, Feni, and Lakshmipur districts. We quantitative data was collected via google form questionnaire consisting of sections on sociodemographic factors, natural disasters, man-made disasters, mental and physical health, injuries, community disruption, and anxiety. Cronbach's alpha, KMO, Bartlett's test, regression variable plots, and Pearson correlation analysis by descriptive analysis were used in this study. We found 52.5% of female injuries and mortality 40%, anxiety and depression 35%, crises caused by cyclones 26%, and flooding 48%. Moreover, we found gender, occupation, health crisis by natural and man-made disaster, injuries, death, and anxiety associated with health. The study revealed that most people had little knowledge about climate change and its impacts. Over the past decade, millions have been affected by disasters, yet a significant lack of awareness persists regarding the physical and mental effects of climate change. To tackle this issue, it is essential for the government and relevant stakeholders to initiate additional environmental projects, construct dams in coastal regions, conduct river excavations, and enforce regulations related to climate change.