A Social Vulnerability Index for Air Pollution and Its Spatially Varying Relationship to PM<sub>2.5</sub> in Uganda
Fine particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) is a ubiquitous air pollutant that is harmful to human health. Social vulnerability indices (SVIs) are calculated to determine where vulnerable populations are located. We developed an SVI for Uganda to identify areas with high vulnerability and...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-07-01
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| Series: | Atmosphere |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/8/1169 |
| _version_ | 1797432520160051200 |
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| author | Kayan Clarke Kevin Ash Eric S. Coker Tara Sabo-Attwood Engineer Bainomugisha |
| author_facet | Kayan Clarke Kevin Ash Eric S. Coker Tara Sabo-Attwood Engineer Bainomugisha |
| author_sort | Kayan Clarke |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Fine particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) is a ubiquitous air pollutant that is harmful to human health. Social vulnerability indices (SVIs) are calculated to determine where vulnerable populations are located. We developed an SVI for Uganda to identify areas with high vulnerability and exposure to air pollution. The 2014 national census was used to create the SVI. Mean PM<sub>2.5</sub> at the subcounty level was estimated using global PM<sub>2.5</sub> estimates. The mean PM<sub>2.5</sub> for Kampala at the parish level was estimated using low-cost PM<sub>2.5</sub> sensors and spatial interpolation. A local indicator of spatial association (LISA) was performed to determine significant spatial clusters of social vulnerability, and a bivariate analysis was performed to identify where significant associations were between SVI and annual PM<sub>2.5</sub> mean concentrations. The LISA results showed significant clustering of high SVI in the northern and western regions of the country. The spatial bivariate analysis showed positive linear associations between SVI and PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentration in subcounties in the northern, western, and central regions of Uganda, as well as in certain northern parishes in Kampala. Our approach identified areas facing both high social vulnerability and air pollution levels. These areas can be prioritized for health interventions and policy to reduce the impact of ambient PM<sub>2.5</sub>. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T10:01:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a9dbcfc3f26c4c788a9ce9ed4197a4ca |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T10:01:47Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-a9dbcfc3f26c4c788a9ce9ed4197a4ca2023-12-01T23:23:18ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332022-07-01138116910.3390/atmos13081169A Social Vulnerability Index for Air Pollution and Its Spatially Varying Relationship to PM<sub>2.5</sub> in UgandaKayan Clarke0Kevin Ash1Eric S. Coker2Tara Sabo-Attwood3Engineer Bainomugisha4Department of Environmental Global Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USADepartment of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USADepartment of Environmental Global Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USADepartment of Environmental Global Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USADepartment of Computer Science, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7062, UgandaFine particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) is a ubiquitous air pollutant that is harmful to human health. Social vulnerability indices (SVIs) are calculated to determine where vulnerable populations are located. We developed an SVI for Uganda to identify areas with high vulnerability and exposure to air pollution. The 2014 national census was used to create the SVI. Mean PM<sub>2.5</sub> at the subcounty level was estimated using global PM<sub>2.5</sub> estimates. The mean PM<sub>2.5</sub> for Kampala at the parish level was estimated using low-cost PM<sub>2.5</sub> sensors and spatial interpolation. A local indicator of spatial association (LISA) was performed to determine significant spatial clusters of social vulnerability, and a bivariate analysis was performed to identify where significant associations were between SVI and annual PM<sub>2.5</sub> mean concentrations. The LISA results showed significant clustering of high SVI in the northern and western regions of the country. The spatial bivariate analysis showed positive linear associations between SVI and PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentration in subcounties in the northern, western, and central regions of Uganda, as well as in certain northern parishes in Kampala. Our approach identified areas facing both high social vulnerability and air pollution levels. These areas can be prioritized for health interventions and policy to reduce the impact of ambient PM<sub>2.5</sub>.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/8/1169social vulnerabilityair pollutionparticulate matterPM<sub>2.5</sub>UgandaKampala |
| spellingShingle | Kayan Clarke Kevin Ash Eric S. Coker Tara Sabo-Attwood Engineer Bainomugisha A Social Vulnerability Index for Air Pollution and Its Spatially Varying Relationship to PM<sub>2.5</sub> in Uganda Atmosphere social vulnerability air pollution particulate matter PM<sub>2.5</sub> Uganda Kampala |
| title | A Social Vulnerability Index for Air Pollution and Its Spatially Varying Relationship to PM<sub>2.5</sub> in Uganda |
| title_full | A Social Vulnerability Index for Air Pollution and Its Spatially Varying Relationship to PM<sub>2.5</sub> in Uganda |
| title_fullStr | A Social Vulnerability Index for Air Pollution and Its Spatially Varying Relationship to PM<sub>2.5</sub> in Uganda |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Social Vulnerability Index for Air Pollution and Its Spatially Varying Relationship to PM<sub>2.5</sub> in Uganda |
| title_short | A Social Vulnerability Index for Air Pollution and Its Spatially Varying Relationship to PM<sub>2.5</sub> in Uganda |
| title_sort | social vulnerability index for air pollution and its spatially varying relationship to pm sub 2 5 sub in uganda |
| topic | social vulnerability air pollution particulate matter PM<sub>2.5</sub> Uganda Kampala |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/8/1169 |
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