A Sociological Analysis of the links Between Climate Change and Infectious Disease Patterns in Urban Punjab, Pakistan.

Abstract

The study aimed at a sociological investigation of the prevalent patterns of infectious diseases and its relationship with climate change in the urban areas of Punjab, Pakistan. For this purpose areas like Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Layyah, and Jhang were selected. Urban areas from these cities were selected randomly and then proportionately samples were drawn keeping in view the population size of these cities total 375 samples were drawn. A well structured questionnaire comprising of certain questions focusing on the problem statements were selected. Then the responses were put on the analytical tools and certain important results were drawn. Few important results are taken on the momentous variables like, environmental mediator, water stagnation, vector proliferation, urban heat condition, sanitation access, housing quality, and household overcrowding. The main objectives of the study are to explore the social and environmental vulnerability factors (e.g., poverty, overcrowding, sanitation, urban infrastructure) that mediate the impact of climate change on health outcomes, to assess the awareness, perceptions, and adaptive responses of urban communities toward climate-related health risks. The main findings shows moderate levels of water stagnation, vector proliferation, urban heat, and sanitation access received relatively positive assessment. However, concerns related to water contamination, mosquito prevalence, extreme heat, solid waste disposal, and overcrowding may increase environmental vulnerability to infectious diseases.