Heat Emergencies: Perceptions and Practices of Community Members and Emergency Department Healthcare Providers in Karachi, Pakistan: A Qualitative Study

Uzma Rahim Khan, Naveed Ahmed, Rubaba Naeem, Umerdad Khudadad, Sarwat Masud, Nadeem Ullah Khan and Junaid Abdul Razzak
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Uzma Rahim Khan: Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
Naveed Ahmed: Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
Rubaba Naeem: Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
Umerdad Khudadad: Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
Sarwat Masud: Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
Nadeem Ullah Khan: Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
Junaid Abdul Razzak: Centre for Global Emergency Care, Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-12

Abstract: Heat waves are the second leading cause of weather-related morbidity and mortality affecting millions of individuals globally, every year. The aim of this study was to understand the perceptions and practices of community residents and healthcare professionals with respect to identification and treatment of heat emergencies. A qualitative study was conducted using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, with the residents of an urban squatter settlement, community health workers, and physicians and nurses working in the emergency departments of three local hospitals in Karachi. Data was analyzed using content analysis. The themes that emerged were (1) perceptions of the community on heat emergencies; (2) recognition and early treatment at home; (3) access and quality of care in the hospital; (4) recognition and treatment at the health facility; (5) facility level plan; (6) training. Community members were able to recognize dehydration as a heat emergency. Males, elderly, and school-going children were considered at high risk for heat emergencies. The timely treatment of heat emergencies was widely linked with availability of financial resources. Limited availability of water, electricity, and open public spaces were identified as risk factors for heat emergencies. Home based remedies were reported as the preferred practice for treatment by community members. Both community members and healthcare professionals were cognizant of recognizing heat related emergencies.

Keywords: heat emergencies; heat exposure; extreme heat events; perceptions; Pakistan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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