ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Public Health
Sec. Environmental Health and Exposome
Volume 13 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1560498
The Health Impact of Climate Change on the Women in Reproductive Age: A Study of Coastal Communities in Southern Bangladesh
Provisionally accepted
- 1Gopalganj Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
- 2Department of Sociology,, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
- 3Research and integrated thoughts Ltd, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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The coastal areas of Bangladesh, including the Satkhira district, are highly prone to natural disasters and climate change impacts. Salinity in surface water and extreme heat conditions create an emerging worst situation, while women are mostly affected from them. This study investigates the health impacts of climate change on vulnerable coastal communities in Satkhira district, Bangladesh, with a focus on women of reproductive age (14-49 years). Using a multi-method approach, health challenges of women in reproductive ages were explored through interviews with 20 women and 10 men, supplemented by KIIs with health workers and medical officers to validate findings from the community. Findings indeed show that shortages and increased water salinity resulting from climate conditions lead to lack of fresh and drinkable water, dehydration, malnourishment, waterborne diseases, and gynaecological and reproductive illnesses. Women also bear an enhanced burden in their struggle to acquire water and good health, including limited hygiene facilities and maternal care. This is even worsened by heat waves, and among other possible causes are complications such as anaemia, pregnancy risks, stress on mental health, among others. Breaches in awareness and prevention practices were outlined from the study, as there is a need to realize integrated solutions to address the environmental and health challenges of the populations. Further, there is an absolute need to continue improving access to safe water, healthcare services, and to education as a way to build resilience in affected communities.
Keywords: Climate Change, women health, Reproductive Health, Menstrual health, Coastal area
Received: 14 Jan 2025; Accepted: 21 May 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Amin, Hossain, Islam and Ali. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Md Alamgir Hossain, Gopalganj Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
Md. Rakibul Islam, Department of Sociology,, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
Md. Hossain Ali, Research and integrated thoughts Ltd, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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