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Heat Health Messages: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Preventative Messages Tool in the Older Population of South Australia

Author

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  • Monika Nitschke

    (Department for Health and Ageing, 11 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

  • Antoinette Krackowizer

    (School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

  • Alana L. Hansen

    (School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

  • Peng Bi

    (School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

  • Graeme R. Tucker

    (Department for Health and Ageing, 11 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

Abstract

This study explores the efficacy of providing targeted information to older individuals to prevent adverse health outcomes during extreme heat. Participants ≥65 years of age ( n = 637) were recruited from previous population-based studies and randomized into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received evidence-based information leaflets and summarised “Beat the Heat” tips. Post summer 2013–2014, participants responded to questions about their behaviours and their health experiences. Chi square analysis and risk ratios (RR) were used to determine the difference in effects. Responses were received from 216 intervention subjects and 218 controls. Behaviour modification during extreme heat was similar in both groups except for significant increases in the use of cooling systems and the use of a wet cloth to cool the skin in the intervention group. Both actions were recommended in the information package. More people in the intervention group also claimed to have had adequate heat health information. After adjusting for confounders, the RR for self-reported heat stress experienced during summer 2014 indicated a 63% (RR 0.37; 95% CI: 0.22–0.63) reduction in the intervention group compared to the control group. Access to intensive prevention information may have contributed to this positive outcome, indicating the potential usefulness of targeted heat-health information for seniors.

Suggested Citation

  • Monika Nitschke & Antoinette Krackowizer & Alana L. Hansen & Peng Bi & Graeme R. Tucker, 2017. "Heat Health Messages: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Preventative Messages Tool in the Older Population of South Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-10, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:9:p:992-:d:110473
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Noriko Takahashi & Rieko Nakao & Kayo Ueda & Masaji Ono & Masahide Kondo & Yasushi Honda & Masahiro Hashizume, 2015. "Community Trial on Heat Related-Illness Prevention Behaviors and Knowledge for the Elderly," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-27, March.
    2. Dianne Lowe & Kristie L. Ebi & Bertil Forsberg, 2011. "Heatwave Early Warning Systems and Adaptation Advice to Reduce Human Health Consequences of Heatwaves," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-26, December.
    3. Monika Nitschke & Alana Hansen & Peng Bi & Dino Pisaniello & Jonathan Newbury & Alison Kitson & Graeme Tucker & Jodie Avery & Eleonora Dal Grande, 2013. "Risk Factors, Health Effects and Behaviour in Older People during Extreme Heat: A Survey in South Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-13, December.
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    Cited by:

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    2. An Vu & Shannon Rutherford & Dung Phung, 2019. "Heat Health Prevention Measures and Adaptation in Older Populations—A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-22, November.
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    4. Fariha Hasan & Shayan Marsia & Kajal Patel & Priyanka Agrawal & Junaid Abdul Razzak, 2021. "Effective Community-Based Interventions for the Prevention and Management of Heat-Related Illnesses: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-14, August.
    5. Seulkee Heo & Amruta Nori-Sarma & Kwonsang Lee & Tarik Benmarhnia & Francesca Dominici & Michelle L. Bell, 2019. "The Use of a Quasi-Experimental Study on the Mortality Effect of a Heat Wave Warning System in Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-20, June.
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