AWARENESS REGARDING HEAT EXHAUSTION; A SURVEY BASED STUDY IN POPULATION OF KARACHI

Sana Sarfaraz*, Sehrish Karim, Hadiqa Hussain, Wajeeha Fatima, Tanveer Bano and Ayesha Sabir

ABSTRACT

Background: Extreme variation in temperature ( i.e increased heat) has led to large number of deaths in karachi (Pakistan) recently . Our study is based on evaluating the awareness among medical and nonmedical personnel regarding heat exhaustion an initial condition due to increased environmental temperature which if not controlled progresses to heat stroke. Methodology: It is a descriptive cross sectional survey based study consisting of N= 300 individuals out of which N=200 belonged to health care profession and N=100 were laymen. They were questioned about heat stroke and exhaustion, symptoms and treatment. The answers were recorded as open-ended. Results: our study showed that 82.5% medical professionals were aware about the term heat exhaustion where as only 13% laymen knew about it. 61% Medical where as 19% non-medical people were aware about the symptomatic difference between heat stroke and heat exhaustion.46% medical personnel considered people who work outside are more prone to heat exhaustion whereas 81.5% medical personnel considered heat stroke more complicated than heat exhaustion. Conclusion: From our study we came to know that medical personnel are aware about heat exhaustion although there is slight confusion in symptoms but they are aware about treatment of heat exhaustion. Awareness needs to be created in laymen about heat exhaustion, its symptoms, treatment and prevention so steps can be taken by them before hand to avoid dire consequences

Keywords: Heat Exhaustion, Heat stroke, Medical Personnel and Laymen.