EFFECT OF RISING TEMPERATURE ON MATERNAL HEALTH OUTCOMES IN LAHORE METROPOLITAN

Abstract

Rising global temperatures pose increasing public health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women. This study examined the effect of rising temperature on maternal health outcomes in Lahore Metropolitan, Pakistan. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed, with data collected from 385 pregnant women using a structured interview schedule. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, and linear regression were applied to assess the relationship between temperature exposure and maternal health conditions. The findings reveal that rising temperature significantly predicts adverse maternal health outcomes (β = 0.462, p < 0.001), explaining 21.3% of the variance in maternal health status. Women experiencing higher temperature impact reported greater health complications compared to those with lower exposure. The results highlight the intersection of climate vulnerability and maternal health risk in urban settings. The study underscores the need for climate-sensitive maternal healthcare policies and adaptive urban infrastructure to mitigate heat-related health effects among pregnant women.