Heat-Related Health Problems Among School Children in Rural Maharashtra - A Cross-sectional Study
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In comparison to adults, children are more susceptible to climatic and environmental shocks due to a variety of factors, including physical and physiological vulnerability. It is common for children to get health problems during summer as their immune system is still developing. In view of this, the study was planned among school students to assess the impact of heat on their health.
METHODOLOGY: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural area among school children. All the students studying in first standard to tenth standard were included in the study by using purposive sampling technique. The relevant data and clinical examination findings were recorded in predesigned and pretested proforma. The data was analyzed with the help of suitable statistical methods.Â
RESULTS: 420 students participated in the study of which 242(57.62%) were boys and 178(42.38%) were girls. 161(38.33%) subjects were in the age group of >8-12 years. 45.71% of the students spend more than an hour in the sun daily. 95.54% of the students do not use any sun protective measures while going out. 47.60% students had skin problems related to sun exposure.70.00% of students were consuming water less than or equal to 2 Liters in a day. 20.00% had experienced health problems related to summer including urinary tract infection, conjunctivitis, and skin rashes.
CONCLUSION: The harmful impacts of hot climate during summer season include everything from minor illnesses to fatalities. However, fortunately, most of these can be prevented by taking basic precautions like using sun protection measures and staying well hydrated.
How to cite this article:
Jayalekshmi CS, Birajdar SS, Gurav RB. Heat- Related Health Problems Among School Childrenin Rural Maharashtra - A Cross-sectional Study. J Adv Res Med 2023; 10(4): 1-6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2349.7181.202306
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Copyright (c) 2023 Jayalekshmi C S, Shrikant Shivaji Birajdar, Ravindra Balaram Gurav
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