Heat Stress and Thermal Perception amongst Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in India and Singapore

Jimmy Lee, Vidhya Venugopal, P K Latha, Sharifah Badriyah Alhadad, Clarence Hong Wei Leow, Nicholas Yong De Goh, Esther Tan, Tord Kjellstrom, Marco Morabito and Jason Kai Wei Lee
Additional contact information
Jimmy Lee: Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Singapore 609606, Singapore
Vidhya Venugopal: Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600116, India
P K Latha: Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600116, India
Sharifah Badriyah Alhadad: NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
Clarence Hong Wei Leow: Human Potential Translational Research Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
Nicholas Yong De Goh: Human Potential Translational Research Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
Esther Tan: Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Singapore 609606, Singapore
Tord Kjellstrom: Health and Environment International Trust, Nelson 7005, New Zealand
Marco Morabito: Institute of BioEconomy, National Research Council, 50019 Florence, Italy
Jason Kai Wei Lee: Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-12

Abstract: The need for healthcare workers (HCWs) to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic heightens their risk of thermal stress. We assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of HCWs from India and Singapore regarding PPE usage and heat stress when performing treatment and care activities. One hundred sixty-five HCWs from India ( n = 110) and Singapore ( n = 55) participated in a survey. Thirty-seven HCWs from Singapore provided thermal comfort ratings before and after ice slurry ingestion. Differences in responses between India and Singapore HCWs were compared. A p -value cut-off of 0.05 depicted statistical significance. Median wet-bulb globe temperature was higher in India (30.2 °C (interquartile range [IQR] 29.1–31.8 °C)) than in Singapore (22.0 °C (IQR 18.8–24.8 °C)) ( p < 0.001). Respondents from both countries reported thirst ( n = 144, 87%), excessive sweating ( n = 145, 88%), exhaustion ( n = 128, 78%), and desire to go to comfort zones ( n = 136, 84%). In Singapore, reports of air-conditioning at worksites ( n = 34, 62%), dedicated rest area availability ( n = 55, 100%), and PPE removal during breaks ( n = 54, 98.2%) were higher than in India ( n = 27, 25%; n = 46, 42%; and n = 66, 60%, respectively) ( p < 0.001). Median thermal comfort rating improved from 2 (IQR 1–2) to 0 (IQR 0–1) after ice slurry ingestion in Singapore ( p < 0.001). HCWs are cognizant of the effects of heat stress but might not adopt best practices due to various constraints. Thermal stress management is better in Singapore than in India. Ice slurry ingestion is shown to be practical and effective in promoting thermal comfort. Adverse effects of heat stress on productivity and judgment of HCWs warrant further investigation.

Keywords: PPE; climate change; worker protection; KAP survey; mitigation strategies (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 (7)

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