PREVALENCE OF HEAT-RELATED SYMPTOMS UNDER HEAT STRESS AMONG THAI TIRE MANUFACTURER WORKERS

Abstract

Tire manufacturer workers who work in hot environments in the workplace may suffer a variety of heat-related symptoms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of heat-related symptoms under heat stress. The cross-sectional study was carried out in a tire plant in Nakonpathom province, Thailand. A total of 343 workers (n = 343) were interviewed using a modified questionnaire. The body temperature and wet bulk globe temperature (WBGT) were measured. The mean, Adjust Relative Risk Ratio (Adjust RRR), and 95 % Confidence Interval (CIs) for the association between chosen factors were estimated using multinomial logistic regression. As a result, the most prevalent heat-related symptoms in workers who were exposed to heat in production plants were heavy sweating (70.71%), red rashes (54.55%), and weakness/fatigue (52.02%). The Adjust RRR heat-exposed was three times higher experienced minor symptoms (Adjust RRR = 2.87, 95%CI = 1.43-5.76) and five times higher experienced moderate symptoms (Adjust RRR = 5.00, 95% CI = 2.25-10.82). Females were found six times more likely to experience minor symptoms (Adjust RRR = 6.11, 95%CI = 2.02-18.48) and ten times more likely to experience moderate symptoms (Adjust RRR = 9.57, 95%CI = 2.94-31.19) than the control group. The mean ear temperature did not exceed 38.0°C for safety reasons. Tire workers reported a high burden of heat-related symptoms. On-site care, training programs, and health monitoring strategies are necessary, especially for workers who intake high antihistamines to reduce the risk of heat strain, not only during the summer season but also during the rainy season.