Main and added effects of heatwaves on hospitalizations for Mental and Behavioral Disorders in a tropical megacity of Vietnam

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Vietnam is highly vulnerable to climate change-related extreme weather events such as heatwaves. This study assesses the association between heatwaves and hospitalizations due to mental and behavioral disorders (MBDs) in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). METHODS: We collected daily MBD hospital admissions data at the HCMC Mental Health Hospital from 2017 to 2019. Heatwaves effects were characterized into the main effect (i.e., the intensity of temperature during heatwaves) and the added effect (i.e, the duration of heatwaves). Time series Poisson regression coupled with a distributed lag linear model (DLM) was used to quantify the 14-day lags effect of heatwaves. Confounders including long-term trend, seasonality, days of the week, holidays, relative humidity were included in the model. RESULTS: Heatwaves increased all-cause MBD hospitalization by 62% (95%Cl, 36%–93%) for the main effect, and by 8% (95% Cl, -3%–19%) for the added effect. Noticeably, the group aged 18 to 60 years old was affected by the main effect of the heatwave, while the group aged 61 years and older was affected by the added effect of the heatwave. The effects of heatwaves differed among groups of MBD hospitalizations. The mental and behavioral disorder group due to psychoactive substance use was significantly affected by the main effect of heatwaves (RR:2.21; 95%Cl:1.55–3.15). The group of schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders were highly vulnerable towards both the main and the added effect of heatwaves with RR=1.50 (95%CI, 1.20–1.86) and RR = 1.14 (95%CI, 1.01–1.30), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results aroused the need for adequate heat warning and adaptation programs when temperatures are not too high but prolonged, particularly with the elderly