2017 Volume 54 Issue 1 Pages 13-22
The present study surveyed the occurrence of heat disorders and actual conditions of hydration status among greenhouse agricultural workers, with the aim of clarifying heat disorders prevention measures in this specific population.
The survey was conducted in a total of 257 individuals working in greenhouses near Kasukabe City of Saitama Pref. and near Ube City of Yamaguchi Pref. This self-administered survey contained questions on history of heat disorders, symptoms associated with heat disorders, and hydration status before, due to performing agricultural work.
Self-assessments completed by the participants described 76 workers (29.6%) with a history of heat disorders, 126 (49.0%) with no history of heat disorders, 52 (20.2%) who did not understand the symptoms of heat disorders, and 3 (1.2%) without a response. Of the workers without a history of heat disorders and workers who did not understand the symptoms, 70 (55.6%) and 42 (80.8%) workers actually exhibited subjective symptoms of heat disorders, respectively. Concerning hydration status, 50 (19.7%), 19 (7.6%), and 25 (9.8%) workers did not hydrate themselves before, during, and after agricultural work, respectively, indicating that the number of workers who did not hydrate themselves before performing agricultural work was particularly high (p<0.05). We further analyzed individuals who did not hydrate themselves before performing agricultural work and found 9 (11.8%) workers with a history of heat disorders, 33 (26.4%) workers without a history of heat disorders, and 8 (16.0%) workers who did not understand the symptoms of heat disorders.
The survey results for symptoms of heat disorders showed that many workers had a history of heat disorders. However, many workers also appeared to have actually developed heat disorders among those who thought they did not have a history of heat disorders and among those who did not have an appropriate understanding of the symptoms. As a preventive measure against heat disorders among greenhouse agricultural workers, a proper understanding of the concept of heat disorders represents an essential first step.
