A study protocol to determine heat-related health impacts among primary chsoolchildren in South Africa

Abstract:Climate models predict that the global average temperature of Earth will rise in the future. Studies show that high classroom temperatures can affect the ability of the student to learn and function. It is important to understand the impact that heat will have on the health, wellbeing, and academic performance of learners, as they spend a significant amount of time in classrooms compared to any other environment. A follow-up panel study among 20 public primary schools in the Gauteng province (South Africa) will be carried out, in which Grade 4 learners will be selected to complete an hourly heat-health symptom questionnaire. A Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) test will be used to determine their memory and attention span. A nursing practitioner will measure body weight, height, and temperature. Lascar data loggers will beusedtomeasureindoorclassroomtemperature. Schoolprincipalswillcompleteaquestionnaireon existing school coping mechanisms and policies in place that help deal with hot weather conditions. This is the first study to quantitatively assess the effects of heat on learners’ health, well-being and school performance in South Africa. The outcomes of this study will enable policymakers and public officials to develop appropriate school heat adaptation and mitigation measures and will assist in channeling their resources where it is most needed

Household fuel use and prevalence of reported allergic rhinitis in rural areas of Mpumalanga, South Africa

Abstract : Household air pollution (HAP) exposure caused by burning of solid fuels during cooking and heating is associated with adverse health impacts. Such effects include respiratory allergic reactions and asthma. Most households in South Africa use mainly firewood and animal biomass for cooking. The use of traditional fuel for cooking and heating has been associated with allergic rhinitis especially in rural areas of South Africa. A cross-sectional study was conducted were 167 households were randomly selected after different locations were stratified. A questionnaire with both closed and open-ended questions adopted from International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was used. Data was analysed using SPSS logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of household reported allergic rhinitis in the different locations were Bhubhane (64%), Mahlabatsini (53%), Masakeni (50%), Babrook (48%), KaJohn (34%) and KaDukies (23%). Allergic rhinitis was significantly associated with the use of coal, wood and kerosene. We did not find any association between allergic rhinitis and the use of charcoal and animal dung. The study showed a high prevalence of household-reported allergic rhinitis amongst children in rural areas. The findings indicate the role of particulate matter from burning traditional fuel indoors as a risk factor to allergic rhinitis

Household fuel use and prevalence of reported allergic rhinitis in rural areas of Mpumalanga, South Africa

Abstract : Household air pollution (HAP) exposure caused by burning of solid fuels during cooking and heating is associated with adverse health impacts. Such effects include respiratory allergic reactions and asthma. Most households in South Africa use mainly firewood and animal biomass for cooking. The use of traditional fuel for cooking and heating has been associated with allergic rhinitis especially in rural areas of South Africa. A cross-sectional study was conducted were 167 households were randomly selected after different locations were stratified. A questionnaire with both closed and open-ended questions adopted from International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was used. Data was analysed using SPSS logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of household reported allergic rhinitis in the different locations were Bhubhane (64%), Mahlabatsini (53%), Masakeni (50%), Babrook (48%), KaJohn (34%) and KaDukies (23%). Allergic rhinitis was significantly associated with the use of coal, wood and kerosene. We did not find any association between allergic rhinitis and the use of charcoal and animal dung. The study showed a high prevalence of household-reported allergic rhinitis amongst children in rural areas. The findings indicate the role of particulate matter from burning traditional fuel indoors as a risk factor to allergic rhinitis

Socio-economic, infrastructural and health-related risk factors associated with adverse heat-health effects reportedly experienced during hot weather in South Africa

Abstract: Introduction: poor urban communities are likely to bear the brunt of climate change impacts on health and well-being. The City of Johannesburg, South Africa, is predicted to experience an average increase in ambient temperature of 4°C by 2100. Focusing on the urban environment, this study aimed to determine socio-economic, infrastructural and health-related risk factors for heat-related adverse health effects. Methods: this was a crosssectional study. Data of interest were collected using a pretested and validated questionnaire administered to parents of children attending schools participating in a school heat study. Information related to demographic, socio-economic and household-level determinants of health, which has an impact on the individual prevalence of adverse heat-health effects associated with hot weather, was collected for 136 households and 580 individuals. Results: sweating (n = 208 individuals; 35%), headache and nausea (n = 111; 19%) and weakness, fatigue and dizziness (n = 87; 15%) were the most common heat-health effects reportedly experienced by individuals (n = 580) during hot weather. Individuals who suffered from hypertension (OR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.34 - 4.05, p = 0.003) and individuals older than 60 years (OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.27-1.99, p < 0.001) compared to other age groups were more likely to experience 'any heat-health effects'. Living in government-sponsored detached housing and in houses with asbestos roofs were associated with an increase in reported experience of 'any heat-health effects' compared to living in other housing types. Conclusion: heathealth awareness campaigns should target people suffering from pre-existing diseases and the elderly, as these groups are especially vulnerable to heat. Focus should also be given to appropriate roofing and insulation in government-sponsored housing since summertime temperatures are projected to increase

Container buildings used for residential and business purposes in Johannesburg, South Africa and potential heat-related health risks [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]

Background Outdoor and indoor air temperature affects human health and wellbeing. Climate change projections suggest that global temperatures will continue to increase, and this poses a threat to health. Buildings (for housing and business purposes) that can protect humans from the adverse effects of temperature is essential, especially in the context of climate change. Method In this cross-sectional study, we measured indoor temperature inside shipping containers comprising a seven-storey block of apartments and businesses in Johannesburg, South Africa for 14 days. We assessed indoor temperature and relative humidity; evaluated measured temperatures in relation to thresholds known to be associated with adverse health risks; and sought to understand heat-health perceptions and symptoms of people living and working in shipping container units. Results Median indoor apparent temperature (AT) (a combination of temperature and relative humidity) was 16 °C with values ranging from 6 °C (observed at 8:00) to 42 °C (observed at 17:00). Insulated units had temperatures between 2°C and 9°C cooler than the uninsulated unit. Heat-health risks from AT exposure were likely in all units, although there was variation in the number of occurrences that AT measurements exceeded the four symptom bands of caution, extreme caution, danger and extreme danger. Some participants believed that their units were hot during hot weather and most people opened windows or did nothing during hot weather. Few participants reported experiencing adverse heat-health impacts, except for experiencing headaches (58%) and feeling tired or weak (40%). Conclusion Residents, tenants, or business owners using shipping containers should consider insulation installation and adequate windows/air conditioning for ventilation, especially in hot climates. Further research and awareness regarding heat-health risks of living or working in these spaces is needed

A study protocol to determine heat-related health impacts among primary schoolchildren in South Africa

Climate models predict that the global average temperature of Earth will rise in the future. Studies show that high classroom temperatures can a ect the ability of the student to learn and function. It is important to understand the impact that heat will have on the health, wellbeing, and academic performance of learners, as they spend a significant amount of time in classrooms compared to any other environment. A follow-up panel study among 20 public primary schools in the Gauteng province (South Africa) will be carried out, in which Grade 4 learners will be selected to complete an hourly heat-health symptom questionnaire. A Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) test will be used to determine their memory and attention span. A nursing practitioner will measure body weight, height, and temperature. Lascar data loggers will be used to measure indoor classroom temperature. School principals will complete a questionnaire on existing school coping mechanisms and policies in place that help deal with hot weather conditions. This is the first study to quantitatively assess the e ects of heat on learners’ health, well-being and school performance in South Africa. The outcomes of this study will enable policymakers and public o cials to develop appropriate school heat adaptation and mitigation measures and will assist in channeling their resources where it is most needed.The South African Medical Research Councilhttp://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerpham2020School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH

Students’ perceived heat-health symptoms increased withwarmer classroom temperatures

Temperatures in Africa are expected to increase by the end of the century. Heat-related health impacts and perceived health symptoms are potentially a problem, especially in public schools with limited resources. Students (n = 252) aged ~14–18 years from eight high schools completed an hourly heat-health symptom log over 5 days. Data loggers measured indoor classroom temperatures. A high proportion of students felt tired (97.2%), had low concentration (96.8%) and felt sleepy (94.1%) during at least one hour on any day. There were statistically significant correlations, when controlling for school cluster effect and time of day, between indoor temperatures ¥32 C and students who felt tired and found it hard to breathe. Consistently higher indoor classroom temperatures were observed in classrooms constructed of prefabricated asbestos sheeting with corrugated iron roof and converted shipping container compared to brick classrooms. Longitudinal studies in multiple seasons and different classroom building types are needed.The National Research Foundation (NRF) Thuthuka fund, a Parliamentary Grant from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).http://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerpham2016Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorolog

Students’ Perceived Heat-Health Symptoms Increased with Warmer Classroom Temperatures

Temperatures in Africa are expected to increase by the end of the century. Heat-related health impacts and perceived health symptoms are potentially a problem, especially in public schools with limited resources. Students (n = 252) aged ~14–18 years from eight high schools completed an hourly heat-health symptom log over 5 days. Data loggers measured indoor classroom temperatures. A high proportion of students felt tired (97.2%), had low concentration (96.8%) and felt sleepy (94.1%) during at least one hour on any day. There were statistically significant correlations, when controlling for school cluster effect and time of day, between indoor temperatures ¥32 C and students who felt tired and found it hard to breathe. Consistently higher indoor classroom temperatures were observed in classrooms constructed of prefabricated asbestos sheeting with corrugated iron roof and converted shipping container compared to brick classrooms. Longitudinal studies in multiple seasons and different classroom building types are needed.The National Research Foundation (NRF) Thuthuka fund, a Parliamentary Grant from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).http://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerpham2016Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorolog