Awareness and preparedness of health impacts and harmful effects of heat among Grade 11 and 12 school children in Dehiattakandiya educational zone-Dr.K.L.Dayarathna

Abstract

Introduction: Sri Lanka is a tropical country, with an increasing trend of temperature rise over last few decades. The country was ranked second in vulnerability to climate change disasters in Global climate index 2019. Dehiattakandiya area in Ampara district is highly prone to this increase heat and harmful health effects of heat. The aim of this research is to assess the awareness and preparedness of health impacts and harmful effects of heat among Grade 11 and 12 school children in Dehiattakandiya educational zone.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 191 school students of Grade 11 and 12 in Dehiattakandiya educational zone. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. A descriptive method of statistical analysis was undertaken in presenting the findings in relation to the specified objectives.

Results:  A total of 191 school students in Dehiattakandiya educational zone participated in this research with 100% respond rate. Nearly 51.8% (n=99) of them were at age of 16 while 52.9% (n=101) were female students. About 99.5% (n=190) of the students were Sinhala and nearly 94.2% (n=180) of the students participated in the survey were living in a village. About 55% (n=105) of Fathers were farmers while 68.6% (n=131) mothers were housewives. Majority of students (50.3%, n=96) had less than Rs.25,000 family income. A vast majority (85.9%, n=164) of students get information regarding health impacts and harmful effects of heat from Television. In this study, about 22% (n=42) of students had poor awareness while 78% (n=149) of them had good awareness of harmful effects of heat and health impacts but there were no statistically significant association between awareness and most of the demographic variables. Good preparedness was observed among 57.6% (n=110) of them with a statistically significant association between female gender (p = 0.000) and eastern educational zone (p = 0.049).

Conclusion: In general, this research concludes the awareness and preparedness of health impacts and harmful effects of heat among Grade 11 and 12 school children in Dehiattakandiya educational zone was good in majority of the participants. But since there were prominent gaps both in awareness and preparedness in certain areas, comprehensive educational and training programmes may be beneficial.