Abstract
Salinity intrusion in coastal Bangladesh has serious population health implications, which are yet to be clearly understood. The study was undertaken through the ‘Assessing Health, Livelihoods, Ecosystem Services and Poverty Alleviation in Populous Deltas’ project in coastal Bangladesh. Drinking water salinity and blood pressure measurements were carried out during the household survey campaign. The study explored association among Socio-Ecological Systems (SESs), drinking water salinity and blood pressure. High blood pressure (prehypertension and hypertension) was found significantly associated with drinking water salinity. People exposed to slightly saline (1000–2000 mg/l) and moderately saline (≥2000 mg/l) concentration drinking water had respectively 17% (p < 0.1) and 42% (p < 0.05) higher chance of being hypertensive than those who consumed fresh water (<1000 mg/l). Women had 31% higher chance of being hypertensive than men. Also, respondents of 35 years and above were about 2.4 times more likely to be hypertensive compared to below 35 years age group. For the 35 years and above age group, both prehypertension and hypertension were found higher than national rural statistics (50.1%) for saline water categories (53.8% for slightly and 62.5% for moderate saline). For moderate salinity exposure, hypertension prevalence was found respectively 21%, 60% and 48% higher than national statistics (23.6%) in consecutive survey rounds among the respondents. Though there was small seasonal variation in drinking water salinity, however blood pressure showed an increasing trend and maximum during the dry season. Mean salinity and associated hypertension prevalence were found higher for deep aquifer (21.6%) compared to shallow aquifer (20.8%). Localized increase in soil and groundwater salinity was predicted over the study area. Shallow aquifer salinity increase was projected based on modelled output of soil salinity. Rather than uniform increase, there were localized extreme values. Deep aquifer salinity was also predicted to exhibit increasing trend over the period. Study findings and recommendations are suggested for immediate and planned intervention.
Highlights
Anthropogenic activity induced green house gases (GHGs) concentration is increasing in the atmosphere and resultant climate change and sea level rise (CCSLR) is experienced globally- with varied scale and magnitude (IPCC, 2014)
Higher prevalence of hypertension was found among respondents by 21%, 60% and 48% respectively in 1st, 2nd and 3rd round, in comparison to national statistics (23.6%), who consume moderate saline water which is two times more saline comparing to Bangladesh safe water guideline value
This study found higher HBP anomaly among the old age group, the higher prevalence in coastal area comparing to national statistics, and the HBP
Summary
Anthropogenic activity induced green house gases (GHGs) concentration is increasing in the atmosphere and resultant climate change and sea level rise (CCSLR) is experienced globally- with varied scale and magnitude (IPCC, 2014). The scientific community already agreed that the unprecedented impact will be greatest on human health and natural environment (Watts et al, 2015). The linkage between environment-ecosystem and human health-wellbeing is poorly understood and integrated within research, policy and practice (Ford et al, 2015). Deltaic areas are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activities; the Ganges Brahmaputra Meghna (GBM) delta in Bangladesh with highest deltaic population in the world (Ericson et al, 2006). Bangladesh is one of the ‘iconic’ vulnerable countries to the predicted impacts of CCSLR associated changes and extremes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
