Study of KAP Investigation and Interventions on the Impact of Migrant Workers under Heatwaves

Abstract

TPS 662: Climate change effects on labour, migration and infections, Exhibition Hall, Ground floor, August 28, 2019, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Background: As one of the weather-related extreme events due to climate change, heatwaves are often linked with heat stress, cardiovascular disease and urinary system disease among the general population. Migrant workers who generally have lower social and economic status are more susceptible to heatwaves, particularly for those working outdoors. However, studies in relation to intervention in response to heatwave among migrant workers are limited because of their high mobility. This study aims to investigate knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) associated with heatwave among migrant worker, analyse the effectiveness of interventions; therefore, develop prevention programs for migrant workers. Methods: Migrant workers (n=121) in a metro construction site were investigated in Shenzhen. Baseline survey, urine collection, heatwave interventions, second survey and urine collection were conducted during the heatwaves (between June and October). Interventions include heatstroke education, drugs provision, supplements to heatstroke prevention, and early warning for heatwaves. Questionnaires were input by Epidata 3.1 software, all statistical analyses were performed by Excel2013 and SPSS20.0 software. Result 121 workers were included in the baseline survey with a follow up rate of 95.0%, and 105 migrant workers (91.3%) were considered eligible and included in the analyses, with 83.3% males,51.9% aged of 40-60 and 37.4% with high school education or above. The KAP investigation showed that there were statistically significant improvement for the knowledge of heatstroke treatment (p<0.01) and the habits of daily life (p<0.05)) among workers. Positive results of nitrite, protein, specific gravity and glucose were found in the urine samples, with statistically significant increased (P<0.01) between two surveys. The results of urinary biliary and pH values also increased in the urine samples with statistical significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: Interventions were found to have positive effects on the prevention of heatwaves for the outdoor migrant workers.