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Risk of Kidney Injury among Construction Workers Exposed to Heat Stress: A Longitudinal Study from Saudi Arabia

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  • Mohammed Al-Bouwarthan

    (Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 61 Wilder Street, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
    Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia)

  • Margaret M. Quinn

    (Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 61 Wilder Street, Lowell, MA 01854, USA)

  • David Kriebel

    (Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 61 Wilder Street, Lowell, MA 01854, USA)

  • David H. Wegman

    (Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 61 Wilder Street, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
    La Isla Network, P.O. Box 816, Ada, MI 49301, USA)

Abstract

Saudi Arabia (SA) is one of the hottest countries in the world. This study was conducted to assess the impact of summer heat stress in Southeastern SA on short-term kidney injury (KI) among building construction workers and to identify relevant risk factors. Measurements of urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR), height, weight, hydration, symptoms, daily work and behavioral factors were collected in June and September of 2016 from a cohort of construction workers ( n = 65) in Al-Ahsa Province, SA. KI was defined as ACR ≥ 30 mg/g. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to assess factors related to cross-summer changes in ACR. A significant increase in ACR occurred among most workers over the study period; incidence of KI was 18%. Risk factors associated with an increased ACR included dehydration, short sleep, and obesity. The findings suggest that exposure to summer heat may lead to the development of KI among construction workers in this region. Adequate hydration and promotion of healthy habits among workers may help reduce the risk of KI. A reduction in work hours may be the most effective intervention because this action can reduce heat exposure and improve sleep quality.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammed Al-Bouwarthan & Margaret M. Quinn & David Kriebel & David H. Wegman, 2020. "Risk of Kidney Injury among Construction Workers Exposed to Heat Stress: A Longitudinal Study from Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:11:p:3775-:d:363184
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joubert, D. & Thomsen, J. & Harrison, O., 2011. "Safety in the heat: A comprehensive program for prevention of heat illness among workers in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(3), pages 395-398.
    2. Mohan J. Dutta, 2017. "Migration and Health in the Construction Industry: Culturally Centering Voices of Bangladeshi Workers in Singapore," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-14, January.
    3. Haruna M. Moda & Walter Leal Filho & Aprajita Minhas, 2019. "Impacts of Climate Change on Outdoor Workers and Their Safety: Some Research Priorities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-21, September.
    4. Murat S. Erogul & Mohsen Mania Alyami, 2017. "Construction site safety in small construction companies in Saudi Arabia," International Journal of Management Practice, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 10(4), pages 406-421.
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    2. Yang Liu & Xiaoling Li & Jiarui Lai & Aibin Zhu & Xiaodong Zhang & Ziming Zheng & Huijin Zhu & Yueyang Shi & Long Wang & Zhangyi Chen, 2021. "The Effects of a Passive Exoskeleton on Human Thermal Responses in Temperate and Cold Environments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-17, April.
    3. Youkyung Kim & Sangeun Lee & Jeeyeon Lim & Soyeon Park & Sojeong Seong & Youngshin Cho & Heejung Kim, 2021. "Factors Associated with Poor Quality of Sleep in Construction Workers: A Secondary Data Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-12, February.
    4. Jason Glaser & David H. Wegman & Esteban Arias-Monge & Felipe Pacheco-Zenteno & Heath Prince & Denis Chavarria & William Jose Martinez-Cuadra & Kristina Jakobsson & Erik Hansson & Rebekah A. I. Lucas , 2022. "Workplace Intervention for Heat Stress: Essential Elements of Design, Implementation, and Assessment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-18, March.

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