Improving Heat Stress Prevention Through Targeted Education in Hot and Humid Workplaces: A Study in a Foundry Industry Publisher Pubmed



Sv Esmaeili Sayed VAHID ; F Paridokht FATEMEH ; A Shalili AMIRREZA ; A Mohsenian ALI ; H Dehghan HABIBOLLAH
Source: BMC Public Health Published:2025

Abstract

Background: Heat-related illnesses and deaths are predictable and preventable, while lack of education can increase the associated risks. The aim of this study was to improve heat stress prevention through targeted education in hot and humid workplaces. Method: This intervention study with a pre-posttest design was conducted in 2023 on 50 workers in a foundry industry. Initially, by literature reviewing valid scientific databases, factors related to the perception and awareness, knowledge, and functionality (PAKF) of the workers were identified. Subsequently, the face validity of the questionnaire was determined based on the opinions of nine experts in the field of occupational heat stress. The content validity and reliability of the questionnaire were determined using the Content Validity Ratio (CVR), Content Validity Index (CVI), and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. A two-session (180 min each) educational intervention related to preventing occupational heat stress was implemented, and the results were compared using covariance analysis. Gathered data were analyzed using Excel v.2019 and SPSS v.26 software. Result: The study results indicated that out of 53 items designed, ultimately 27 items were confirmed, with CVI, CVR, and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient values of 0.94, 0.78, and 0.76, respectively. Conducting exploratory factor analysis led to the confirmation of 7 factors explaining 50% of the total variance, and all 27 questionnaire items showed acceptable intercorrelations. Furthermore, implementing a heat stress management program resulted in improvement in the PAKF of the intervention group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that a comprehensive educational program related to the prevention of heat stress can lead to an improvement in the level of the PAKF of workers in hot working environments. Therefore, there is a need to enhance the PAKF of workers regarding heat-related hazards, strengthen training, and update current heat prevention policies to ensure compliance and implementation. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.