Influence of the climate variability on acute respiratory infections in the city of Bogotá

Abstract

Introduction: Acute respiratory infection is one of the most significant causes of morbidity in Bogota, and its burden of disease has increased in association with climate variability.
Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate weekly trends of acute respiratory infection in relation to meteorological variables (temperature, relative humidity and cumulative rainfall) in Bogota during 2011 and 2012.
Materials and methods: Epidemiological and meteorological data from 104 weeks were gathered. Temporal variability was taken into account including previous weeks and spatial variability was considered by studying each zone of the city separately (north, south, east, west). Statistical analysis was performed through Poisson dynamic regression models.
Results: The relative humidity had the greater impact on acute respiratory infection and its effects lasted between 8 to 10 weeks. Cumulative rainfall had effects only in the east zone, while the temperature presented mild effects across the four different zones of the city.
Conclusion: Such results are the first step for the design of health-related early warning systems associated with climate variability.