Relationship between Income and Self-Reported Physical Health during Flooding Events and Extreme Heat in Nigeria By Gift Nwagu, B.S., MPH(c) Restricted; Files Only
Nwagu, Gift C. (Spring 2026)
Abstract
Background
Nigeria has experienced increasing instances of droughts, heavy rainfall, flooding, and heatwaves. Nigeria is a low-income nation where the institutional capacity to create systems to mitigate the impact of climate change may be low. This study explores the relationship between income and the physical health impacts experienced during flooding and extreme heat in Nigeria.
Methods
Nigerian adults ≥18 years old completed a self-administered survey in 2021. Demographic, income, and neighborhood cohesion data were self-reported. Lower income was classified as having an annual household income of ₦999,999 or below while higher income was classified as having an annual household income at or above ₦1,000,000. Self-reported physical health impacts in the event of flooding and extreme heat were also collected. Poisson regressions were used to determine prevalence ratios, adjusted for age, gender, employment status, heat or flood preparedness, health status, education, neighborhood cohesion, and survey mode. Models were also stratified by neighborhood cohesion.
Results
A total of 386 people were included in the analysis. Approximately 66% of the respondents had lower income. Of these participants, 30% and 21% reported usually or always experiencing physical health impacts due to extreme heat and flooding events, respectively. The adjusted prevalence ratio for the relationship between low income and self-reported physical health impacts was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.65, 1.51) for very hot temperatures and 1.44 (95% CI: 0.83, 2.50) for flooding. We observed effect modification by neighborhood cohesion for physical health impacts during flooding, but not during extreme heat. Among more cohesive neighborhoods, the relationship between lower income and physical health impacts experienced during flooding was 3.18 (95% CI: 1.03, 9.78). Among less cohesive neighborhoods, lower income was found to not be associated with physical health impacts of flooding (0.27, 95% CI: 0.07, 1.01)
Conclusion
Findings suggest that having a cohesive neighborhood does not mitigate the physical health burden carried by lower-income individuals during flooding events in Nigeria. Public Policy and Public Health programs should focus on improving social cohesion, raising household incomes, and mitigating climate change.
Table of Contents
Table of Content
Contents Page Number
Introduction 1
Methods 3
Results 6
Discussion 22
Conclusion 27
References 28
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File download under embargo until 21 May 2027 | 2026-03-10 13:40:40 -0400 | File download under embargo until 21 May 2027 |
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