BACKGROUND AND AIM: High ambient temperature is associated with reduced work capacity, disrupted sleep, and increased anxiety, which may impact on maternal caregiving behaviours and health-related functioning. We explored the effects of heat on normal daily activities and wellbeing in a cohort of pregnant and postpartum women in southern Burkina Faso. METHODS: We undertook secondary analysis of data collected during structured interviews with 868 pregnant and postpartum women (aged 14–47 years), on 3 occasions (between November 2013 and November 2014), in the commune of Bobo-Dioulasso. Temperature data for Bobo-Dioulasso were obtained from Tutiempo.net. Multilevel linear regression models were used to estimate the effects of daily mean temperature on women’s sleeping behaviour, mental health (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale), and time spent (minutes per typical day) on professional, household, social, and caregiving activities. Models were stratified by residential area (urban/rural), and controlled for season, pregnancy history, marital status, number of infants born, infant status (alive, absent, dead) and/or age, where appropriate. RESULTS:The population experienced year-round high temperatures (intra-annual range: 23.2℃ - 33.7℃). With every 1℃ increase in daily mean temperature, exclusive breastfeeding decreased by 2.0 minutes per day (95% CI -4.3 to 0.3), family care decreased by 1.9 minutes per day (-4.1 to 0.2), and childcare increased by 0.5 minutes per day (-0.04 to 1.0). Associations were statistically significant at the 10% level. We found no evidence of association between temperature and time spent on professional or social activities, housework, sleeping, or mental health. Temperature-outcome associations did not differ between urban and rural settings. CONCLUSIONS:This study suggests that very high temperatures may not limit work-related behaviours when individuals have little option to rest. As infants become thirstier in hot weather, it is concerning that they may be breastfed for a shorter duration when temperatures rise. KEYWORDS: Temperature, Female, Outcomes, Mental health outcomes
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