Occupational Heat Exposure-related Symptoms Prevalence and Associated Factors Among Hospitality Industry Kitchen Workers in Ethiopia: Wet Bulb Globe Temperature
Christian Melaku, Giziew Abere, Yifokire Tefera Zele, Yimer Mamaye, Tadiwos Abebaw, Anmut Endalkachew Bezie, Amensisa Hailu Tesfaye, Eshetu Abera Worede
Abstract
Occupational heat stress caused by excessive environmental heat gain disrupts thermoregulatory mechanisms and harm workers' health and productivity. Kitchens are known for their thermal risks; however, research on heat stress in kitchen is limited. This study aimed to bridge this knowledge gap by assessing, the prevalence of heat-stress-related symptoms, and associated factors among kitchen workers in Gondar City, Ethiopia. This institutional-based cross-sectional study (April to June 2023) evaluated heat stress among hospitality kitchen workers in Ethiopia. Heat exposure was measured using hygrometers. A simple random sample of 605 participants completed a survey and data was exported to Statistical Package for Social Science version 26. To assess strength and direction an adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) was employed. A p -value of less than 0.05 was utilized to identify significant associations. Over the last 6 months 67.1% (95% CI: 63.0, 71.1), of the participants reported heat-stress symptoms. Multivariable analysis revealed that age ≥40 years [AOR: 2.28; 95% CI (1.08, 4.82)], high workload [AOR: 1.89; 95% CI (1.04, 3.49)], poor heat mitigation practice [AOR: 2.39; 95% CI (1.58, 3.59), wood fuel [AOR: 2.60; 95% CI (1.54, 4.40)], improper ventilation [AOR: 3.28; 95% CI (1.56, 6.87)], and higher heat index value [AOR: 2.15; 95% CI (1.35, 3.42)] were factors significatly associated with heat stress related symptoms. This study identified a high prevalence of heat–stress-related symptoms among kitchen workers. Mitigation strategies include improved ventilation, cooling, advanced building designs, and heat reduction technologies. Future research should utilize standard heat-stress assessment tools.