Heat Illness Severity and Hydration Practices among Outdoor Workers in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study are to investigate the hydration practices and to determine relationship between hydration practices and severity of occupational heat illness among outdoor workers in tropical country of Malaysia. Methods : A cross sectional study was conducted among outdoor workers in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. A set of questionnaire includes of sociodemographic profile, working activity, hydration practices and heat illness severity index (HISI) were distributed. Bivariate and multivariate linear regression analyses was conducted. Results : A total of 63 questionnaires were completed and analysed. The mean age of respondents was 34 years old and 65% of them were male. The mean score of HISI was 17.41. The mean fluid intake prior and during work were 210 ml and 1106ml respectively. Most of the workers drank only when they felt thirsty and the most frequent type of fluid intake was plain or mineral water.There is a significant linear correlation between fluid intake prior to working hours,urine colour index and severity of heat illness(p<0.05). Those who drank less 100mls before begin work will have 15 score higher in HISI. Those who had 1 point darker in urine colour index, had higher HISI score by 2.The model explains 17% of variation of HISI score in the study sample. Conclusion: This study showed the importance of pre-work hydration and urine colour index monitoring in preventing heat illness among the outdoor workers. Heat illness symptoms severity index is also proven as a simple and useful tool to monitor occupational heat illness for further planning and prevention at the workplace. The importance of pre-work hydration, prevention and monitoring of heat illness at the workplace should be emphasized in heat educational programmes and included in organizational policies towards adaptation to climate change.