Knowledge, perception and practices in relation to the impact of heat on the health and productivity of pineapple farmers in Johor

Mohd Nawi, Nuzul Fadhilah (2018) Knowledge, perception and practices in relation to the impact of heat on the health and productivity of pineapple farmers in Johor. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

Text FPSK4 2018 7 LATEST 30102024.pdf Download (126MB)

Abstract

Objective: To study the knowledge, perception and practices in relation to the impact of heat on the health and productivity of pineapple farmers in Johor. Method: This study involved 82 male farmers, selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Background and working information was obtained using questionnaire. Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) was used to measure 24 hours heat index for 18 days. While physiological measurements (blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature) were measured during and after the work period and the productivity was observed in the morning and evening according to the work tasks. Result: Farmers at the farm were at high risk to heat stress as most of days recorded exceeded the standards of TLV. Majority of the farmers have moderate scores on knowledge and perception but poor practices on the impact on health and productivity with the majority of the farmers consumed 3 litres/day of water at the frequency of 5-10 times/day of water intake. There was a significant correlation (p=0.031) between WBGT and body core temperature during work. All the physiological parameters (blood pressure, body core temperature and heart rate) were significantly different during and after work period. While the productivity of planters and harvesters were significantly correlated with the WBGT heat index in term of humidity both in the morning (p=<0.001, p=<0.001) and in the evening (p=0.026, p=0.0 18) respectively. Productivity of suckers and harvesting were significantly different in the morning and evening where the output was decreased in the evening. Knowledge scores were significantly associated with fainting as of health symptoms. Perception scores were significantly associated with vomit as of health symptoms. Work task had a significant relationship with fatigue symptom, metabolic rate with headache symptom, age with severe thirst symptoms, BMI with the muscle cramps symptom and WBGT had a significant relationship with dizziness symptom. For the productivity of the farmers for each work task, humidity had significant relationship with the planting and harvesting task, heart rate with sucker task and diastolic blood pressure had a significant relationship with manual weeding task of the farmers. Conclusion: The farmers had fair score on knowledge and perception on heat and poor score on practices of heat protection. The farmers were exposed to high risk of heat stress for most of the days recorded exceeded the standards of TLV. The most common symptoms experienced by the farmers were heavy sweating and fatigue. Heat index in term of humidity had a significant correlation with body core temperature of the farmers and also the productivity of planters and harvesters. Keywords: Heat, health, productivity, knowledge, perception and practices, pineapple farmers

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms Norafizah Radzuan
Date Deposited:	05 Nov 2024 01:11
Last Modified:	05 Nov 2024 01:11
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2104

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