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Heat Emergencies: Perceptions and Practices of Community Members and Emergency Department Healthcare Providers in Karachi, Pakistan: A Qualitative Study

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  • Uzma Rahim Khan

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Naveed Ahmed

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Rubaba Naeem

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Umerdad Khudadad

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Sarwat Masud

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Nadeem Ullah Khan

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Junaid Abdul Razzak

    (Centre for Global Emergency Care, Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
    Centre of Excellence for Trauma and Emergencies, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

Abstract

Heat waves are the second leading cause of weather-related morbidity and mortality affecting millions of individuals globally, every year. The aim of this study was to understand the perceptions and practices of community residents and healthcare professionals with respect to identification and treatment of heat emergencies. A qualitative study was conducted using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, with the residents of an urban squatter settlement, community health workers, and physicians and nurses working in the emergency departments of three local hospitals in Karachi. Data was analyzed using content analysis. The themes that emerged were (1) perceptions of the community on heat emergencies; (2) recognition and early treatment at home; (3) access and quality of care in the hospital; (4) recognition and treatment at the health facility; (5) facility level plan; (6) training. Community members were able to recognize dehydration as a heat emergency. Males, elderly, and school-going children were considered at high risk for heat emergencies. The timely treatment of heat emergencies was widely linked with availability of financial resources. Limited availability of water, electricity, and open public spaces were identified as risk factors for heat emergencies. Home based remedies were reported as the preferred practice for treatment by community members. Both community members and healthcare professionals were cognizant of recognizing heat related emergencies.

Suggested Citation

  • Uzma Rahim Khan & Naveed Ahmed & Rubaba Naeem & Umerdad Khudadad & Sarwat Masud & Nadeem Ullah Khan & Junaid Abdul Razzak, 2021. "Heat Emergencies: Perceptions and Practices of Community Members and Emergency Department Healthcare Providers in Karachi, Pakistan: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4736-:d:545921
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lin Zhou & Zheng Xin & Li Bai & Fangjun Wan & Yongming Wang & Shaowei Sang & Shouqin Liu & Ji Zhang & Qiyong Liu, 2014. "Perceptions of Heat Risk to Health: A Qualitative Study of Professional Bus Drivers and Their Managers in Jinan, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-16, January.
    2. Hannah Hoag, 2015. "How cities can beat the heat," Nature, Nature, vol. 524(7566), pages 402-404, August.
    3. Alina Herrmann & Rainer Sauerborn, 2018. "General Practitioners’ Perceptions of Heat Health Impacts on the Elderly in the Face of Climate Change—A Qualitative Study in Baden-Württemberg, Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-21, April.
    4. Rachel Lowe & Markel García-Díez & Joan Ballester & James Creswick & Jean-Marie Robine & François R. Herrmann & Xavier Rodó, 2016. "Evaluation of an Early-Warning System for Heat Wave-Related Mortality in Europe: Implications for Sub-seasonal to Seasonal Forecasting and Climate Services," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-13, February.
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