Analysis of Public Awareness, Health Risks, and Coping Strategies Against Heat Waves in NCT of Delhi, India

Abstract

AbstractOver the recent years, unparalleled heat waves driven by climate change with more severity, intensity, and frequency have been recorded in Delhi, with 2019 being the warmest year on record. Extreme heat is a serious public health concern and one of the leading causes of weather-related fatalities. The major aim of this study is to examine the awareness and perception of and attitudes toward the heat waves and associated health risk and the coping practices adopted, among a group of residents in NCT of Delhi. A cross-sectional study was conducted during April–May 2020 among the sample of 180 residents of Delhi. Information related to socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, and awareness regarding heat waves, heat illness history reported during the summer, and the various coping practices adopted to combat extreme heat were collected and analyzed. The results of the survey found that a majority of the respondents (75.6%) considered heat waves a disaster and extreme heat a serious public health risk. It was observed that the main sources from which respondents received information about heat waves were Internet/social media (75.6%) and newspapers (50%). More females considered heat waves a disaster and a serious health risk and were likely to be more informed than males. The main issues that concerned the respondents during the heat wave events were their health, safety of birds, animals and pets, relatives/family/friends, etc. A majority of the respondents felt uncomfortable during a heat wave event. A majority of the respondents (85.6%) experienced a loss in productivity level at workplace. Most of the respondents (53.3%) have also experienced some kind of extreme heat-related symptoms or illness, among which heat exhaustion was on the top. Top coping practices adopted to get protection from extreme heat included using fan/AC/cooler and drinking sufficient water. Such findings may inform the policymakers in reframing and communication strategies for heat waves in Delhi and help people to be better prepared in the event of heat waves.KeywordsHeat wavesPublic awarenessPublic health riskCoping strategiesSurvey