Risk of Kidney Injury among Construction Workers Exposed to Heat Stress: A Longitudinal Study from Saudi Arabia

Mohammed Al-Bouwarthan, Margaret M. Quinn, David Kriebel and David H. Wegman
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Mohammed Al-Bouwarthan: Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 61 Wilder Street, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
Margaret M. Quinn: Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 61 Wilder Street, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
David Kriebel: Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 61 Wilder Street, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
David H. Wegman: Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 61 Wilder Street, Lowell, MA 01854, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-16

Abstract: Saudi Arabia (SA) is one of the hottest countries in the world. This study was conducted to assess the impact of summer heat stress in Southeastern SA on short-term kidney injury (KI) among building construction workers and to identify relevant risk factors. Measurements of urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR), height, weight, hydration, symptoms, daily work and behavioral factors were collected in June and September of 2016 from a cohort of construction workers ( n = 65) in Al-Ahsa Province, SA. KI was defined as ACR ≥ 30 mg/g. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to assess factors related to cross-summer changes in ACR. A significant increase in ACR occurred among most workers over the study period; incidence of KI was 18%. Risk factors associated with an increased ACR included dehydration, short sleep, and obesity. The findings suggest that exposure to summer heat may lead to the development of KI among construction workers in this region. Adequate hydration and promotion of healthy habits among workers may help reduce the risk of KI. A reduction in work hours may be the most effective intervention because this action can reduce heat exposure and improve sleep quality.

Keywords: climate change; heat stress; dehydration; construction workers; albuminuria; kidney injury; urine color; long working hours; sleep (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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