HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES

Abstract

Objective: To study the adaptive strategies from harmful effect of heat waveon an urban, educated, well to do subjects for a period of May to July 2014.Data Source:250 selected young students of RIHS. Design of Study: Descriptive Study. Setting: RawalInstitute of Health Sciences, Islamabad. Period: March – July 2014. Method: A questionnairewas circulated among the students of Rawal Institute of Health Sciences Islamabad regardingeffects of heat and measures taken to combat its effects. Results: A total of 250 urban studentswith mean age of 19.77±1.10 years were inducted in the study, having resources to face theextreme heat. A significant number of female non boarder students (p=0.000), wearing cottonclothes (p=0.000) having fair skin (p=0.000) and using air condition at homes (p=0.000) werenot acclimatized to heat waves still have headache and anxiety. A great percent of students didnot complaint of headache, heat exhaustion, heat cramp or syncope, except mild sweating,effect on studies. A great percentage (>65%) of students complained of malaise, nauseavomiting. Male students showed increase thirst than female, while anxiety state was noticedmore in female than male students. Conclusion: The use of cotton clothing, daily bathing,increased water intake and use of air conditioner minimized the severe adverse effects likeheat exhaustion, heat syncope, and heat stroke, although the minor effects like skin tanning,disturbed sleep, anxiety and adverse effects on studies cannot be avoided in heat wave season.