Unraveling complex interactions of meteorological factors and sulfur dioxide on other infectious diarrhea: evidence from a subtropical city
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background The incidence of other infectious diarrhea (OID) is rising, imposing a significant medical burden. While meteorological factors affect OID, few studies have examined sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) or its interactions with these variables. Methods Using quasi-Poisson and distributed lag non-linear models, we analyzed the lagged, non-linear effects of meteorological factors and SO 2 on OID cases in Fuzhou, China (2015–2019). Interactive effects between SO 2 and meteorological variables were evaluated using multiplicative terms, multiplicative scale, relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), and attributable proportion (AP). Stratified analyses highlighted vulnerable groups. Results The relationship between OID and mean temperature (MT), mean relative humidity (MRH) and SO 2 were represented by U-, L-, and J-shaped curves, respectively. A synergistic effect was found between MT and MRH, where low levels of both increased OID risk, while SO 2 and MT showed an antagonistic effect, with high SO 2 and low MT raising OID risk. Children aged 3–4 years were particularly sensitive to extremely low MT. Conclusion These results underscore the importance roles of MT, MRH, and SO 2 in OID risk, and highlight the need for prediction and prevention strategies targeting the co-exposure of environmental factors.
Source: Frontiers in Public Health
Institution: Fujian Medical University
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
Funder: Fujian Medical University
OpenAlex ID: W7154115900