Assessment of the Prevalence of Heat Stress Related Illness among outdoor Sugar Factories Workers in Ethiopia.
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Date
2018-06
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
Background: Temperatures are increasing around the globe, exacerbating the existing heat burden of tropical areas for outdoor work environments. Exposure to extreme heat stress can overwhelm the body‟s coping mechanisms leading to a serious condition such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat rashes, and heat syncope. Sugarcane harvesting is an intense job that involves constant exposure to heat and sunlight.
Objective: - The main aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of heat related illness and current adaptation strategies among outdoor Sugar Factories workers in Ethiopia.
Methodology: - Institution based Cross-sectional study was conducted from March 25, 2018, to April 30, 2018, among 143 Wonji Shoa and 261 Metahara Sugar Factories workers, Central Ethiopia. Standardized High Occupational Temperature Health and Productivity Suppression questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of heat related illness among outdoor sugar cane workers and observation checklist and key informants' interview was used to collect data for adaptation strategies. Air temperature and Relative humidity records obtained from Metahara and Wonji Shoa research center were used to calculate Wet Bulb Globe Temperature.
Results: - The Prevalence of Heat Related Illness in the study population was 299/401 (74.6%). The Heat related symptoms most experienced were sweating by 394(98.3%) and thirst by 393(98%). The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature was highest in March and April reaching, 27 °C and 22 oC in Metahara and Wonji Shoa sugar Estate respectively. Cooling and hydration, taking break/resting, wearing a light cloth during hot day were currently adopted coping strategies to reduce heat stress.
Conclusions: Metahara and Wonji Shoa Sugar factories workers had high prevalence of heat related illness. Even if the weather data shows a low risk of heat index, work rate and lack of adequate coping strategies lead workers in high risk of heat stress. Appropriate coping mechanism also needs to be designed for outdoor Sugar Cane workers whose health is negatively impacted by heat stress.
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Keywords
Heat-Related Illness, Sugarcane workers, Level of heat stress, Adaptation strategies, Wonji Shoa, Metehara, Wet Bulb Globe Temperature