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Heat Stress and Thermal Perception amongst Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in India and Singapore

Author

Listed:
  • Jimmy Lee

    (Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Singapore 609606, Singapore)

  • Vidhya Venugopal

    (Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600116, India)

  • P K Latha

    (Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600116, India
    AMET University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 603112, India)

  • Sharifah Badriyah Alhadad

    (NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
    Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore
    Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore)

  • Clarence Hong Wei Leow

    (Human Potential Translational Research Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore)

  • Nicholas Yong De Goh

    (Human Potential Translational Research Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore)

  • Esther Tan

    (Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Singapore 609606, Singapore)

  • Tord Kjellstrom

    (Health and Environment International Trust, Nelson 7005, New Zealand
    National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia)

  • Marco Morabito

    (Institute of BioEconomy, National Research Council, 50019 Florence, Italy
    Centre of Bioclimatology, University of Florence, 50144 Florence, Italy)

  • Jason Kai Wei Lee

    (Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore
    Human Potential Translational Research Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
    N.1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
    Global Asia Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119076, Singapore)

Abstract

The need for healthcare workers (HCWs) to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic heightens their risk of thermal stress. We assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of HCWs from India and Singapore regarding PPE usage and heat stress when performing treatment and care activities. One hundred sixty-five HCWs from India ( n = 110) and Singapore ( n = 55) participated in a survey. Thirty-seven HCWs from Singapore provided thermal comfort ratings before and after ice slurry ingestion. Differences in responses between India and Singapore HCWs were compared. A p -value cut-off of 0.05 depicted statistical significance. Median wet-bulb globe temperature was higher in India (30.2 °C (interquartile range [IQR] 29.1–31.8 °C)) than in Singapore (22.0 °C (IQR 18.8–24.8 °C)) ( p < 0.001). Respondents from both countries reported thirst ( n = 144, 87%), excessive sweating ( n = 145, 88%), exhaustion ( n = 128, 78%), and desire to go to comfort zones ( n = 136, 84%). In Singapore, reports of air-conditioning at worksites ( n = 34, 62%), dedicated rest area availability ( n = 55, 100%), and PPE removal during breaks ( n = 54, 98.2%) were higher than in India ( n = 27, 25%; n = 46, 42%; and n = 66, 60%, respectively) ( p < 0.001). Median thermal comfort rating improved from 2 (IQR 1–2) to 0 (IQR 0–1) after ice slurry ingestion in Singapore ( p < 0.001). HCWs are cognizant of the effects of heat stress but might not adopt best practices due to various constraints. Thermal stress management is better in Singapore than in India. Ice slurry ingestion is shown to be practical and effective in promoting thermal comfort. Adverse effects of heat stress on productivity and judgment of HCWs warrant further investigation.

Suggested Citation

  • Jimmy Lee & Vidhya Venugopal & P K Latha & Sharifah Badriyah Alhadad & Clarence Hong Wei Leow & Nicholas Yong De Goh & Esther Tan & Tord Kjellstrom & Marco Morabito & Jason Kai Wei Lee, 2020. "Heat Stress and Thermal Perception amongst Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in India and Singapore," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-12, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:8100-:d:439309
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marco Morabito & Alessandro Messeri & Alfonso Crisci & Junzhe Bao & Rui Ma & Simone Orlandini & Cunrui Huang & Tord Kjellstrom, 2020. "Heat-related productivity loss: benefits derived by working in the shade or work-time shifting," International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 70(3), pages 507-525, April.
    2. Jeremiah Chinnadurai & Vidhya Venugopal & Kumaravel P & Paramesh R, 2016. "Influence of occupational heat stress on labour productivity – a case study from Chennai, India," International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 65(2), pages 245-255, February.
    3. Marco Morabito & Alessandro Messeri & Pascal Noti & Ana Casanueva & Alfonso Crisci & Sven Kotlarski & Simone Orlandini & Cornelia Schwierz & Christoph Spirig & Boris R.M. Kingma & Andreas D. Flouris &, 2019. "An Occupational Heat–Health Warning System for Europe: The HEAT-SHIELD Platform," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-21, August.
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    5. S Vivek Anand & Yao Kang Shuy & Poay Sian Sabrina Lee & Eng Sing Lee, 2021. "One Year on: An Overview of Singapore’s Response to COVID-19—What We Did, How We Fared, How We Can Move Forward," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-33, August.
    6. Yingying Zhao & Meng Su & Xin Meng & Jiying Liu & Faming Wang, 2022. "Thermophysiological and Perceptual Responses of Amateur Healthcare Workers: Impacts of Ambient Condition, Inner-Garment Insulation and Personal Cooling Strategy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-20, December.
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