Perceived impact of heat stress on health and productivity of tropical female garment workers– a comparison between cool and hot months
Abstract Background Challenging work conditions, characterized by high temperatures and humidity without the availability of adequate cooling systems, can put garment workers at an increased risk of heat stress. We examined the impact of heat stress on the health and productivity of young female gar...
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2025-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22787-0 |
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| author | Vabotra Chea Sarin Chan Natalia Borzino Min Sze Pearl Tan Jason Kai Wei Lee Kinnaleth Vongchanh |
| author_facet | Vabotra Chea Sarin Chan Natalia Borzino Min Sze Pearl Tan Jason Kai Wei Lee Kinnaleth Vongchanh |
| author_sort | Vabotra Chea |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Challenging work conditions, characterized by high temperatures and humidity without the availability of adequate cooling systems, can put garment workers at an increased risk of heat stress. We examined the impact of heat stress on the health and productivity of young female garment workers, and the heat relief measures they took. Methods We surveyed and compared a total of 753 female responses across three factories in tropical Phnom Penh, Cambodia, between the cool (November 2021 to January 2022, WBGT 25.2 ± 2.0oC) and hot months (April to June 2022, WBGT 29.0 ± 0.8oC). The surveys assessed perceptions of thermal comfort in the workplace, the effects of heat stress on heat-related symptoms and productivity, as well as the heat relief measures taken. Non-parametric tests were used to assess differences in responses between the cool and hot months. Results During hot months, respondents reported an increase in heat-related symptoms (68% in cool months vs. 88% in hot months). Common symptoms included thirst (50% vs. 81%, p < 0.001), feeling hot (28% vs. 68%, p < 0.001), and heavy sweating (31% vs. 61%, p < 0.001). The perceived impact on productivity was greater during hot months (59% vs. 68%). Respondents perceived heat degraded their motivation (50% vs. 72%, p < 0.001), task speed (42% vs. 66%, p < 0.001), ability to do physical work (37% vs. 56%, p < 0.001), and understanding of tasks (18% vs. 31%, p < 0.001). Increasing water intake was the most common heat relief measure (87% vs. 95%, p < 0.001), while other strategies such as resting in front of a fan (32% vs. 36%) or pouring water over their head (20% vs. 21%) were similar between the cool and hot months (p > 0.05). Conclusions Even a small increase in temperature could compromise workers’ health and work productivity. Workers had to seek heat relief measures all year round due to constant exposure to high temperatures and humidity. In face of a warming world, it is therefore pertinent that these heat-induced impacts are addressed to safeguard workers’ lives and livelihoods, and to ensure productivity in factories. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c0240efb5d3a4703b40ec659627d4be7 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-c0240efb5d3a4703b40ec659627d4be72025-08-20T03:15:14ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-04-012511910.1186/s12889-025-22787-0Perceived impact of heat stress on health and productivity of tropical female garment workers– a comparison between cool and hot monthsVabotra Chea0Sarin Chan1Natalia Borzino2Min Sze Pearl Tan3Jason Kai Wei Lee4Kinnaleth Vongchanh5Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Russian Federation BlvdFaculty of Electrical Engineering, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Russian Federation BlvdSingapore-ETH CentreCampus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), National University of SingaporeCampus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), National University of SingaporeFaculty of Electrical Engineering, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Russian Federation BlvdAbstract Background Challenging work conditions, characterized by high temperatures and humidity without the availability of adequate cooling systems, can put garment workers at an increased risk of heat stress. We examined the impact of heat stress on the health and productivity of young female garment workers, and the heat relief measures they took. Methods We surveyed and compared a total of 753 female responses across three factories in tropical Phnom Penh, Cambodia, between the cool (November 2021 to January 2022, WBGT 25.2 ± 2.0oC) and hot months (April to June 2022, WBGT 29.0 ± 0.8oC). The surveys assessed perceptions of thermal comfort in the workplace, the effects of heat stress on heat-related symptoms and productivity, as well as the heat relief measures taken. Non-parametric tests were used to assess differences in responses between the cool and hot months. Results During hot months, respondents reported an increase in heat-related symptoms (68% in cool months vs. 88% in hot months). Common symptoms included thirst (50% vs. 81%, p < 0.001), feeling hot (28% vs. 68%, p < 0.001), and heavy sweating (31% vs. 61%, p < 0.001). The perceived impact on productivity was greater during hot months (59% vs. 68%). Respondents perceived heat degraded their motivation (50% vs. 72%, p < 0.001), task speed (42% vs. 66%, p < 0.001), ability to do physical work (37% vs. 56%, p < 0.001), and understanding of tasks (18% vs. 31%, p < 0.001). Increasing water intake was the most common heat relief measure (87% vs. 95%, p < 0.001), while other strategies such as resting in front of a fan (32% vs. 36%) or pouring water over their head (20% vs. 21%) were similar between the cool and hot months (p > 0.05). Conclusions Even a small increase in temperature could compromise workers’ health and work productivity. Workers had to seek heat relief measures all year round due to constant exposure to high temperatures and humidity. In face of a warming world, it is therefore pertinent that these heat-induced impacts are addressed to safeguard workers’ lives and livelihoods, and to ensure productivity in factories.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22787-0Occupational exposureHot temperatureProductivity lossHeat stress disordersHeat adaptation measuresWomen working |
| spellingShingle | Vabotra Chea Sarin Chan Natalia Borzino Min Sze Pearl Tan Jason Kai Wei Lee Kinnaleth Vongchanh Perceived impact of heat stress on health and productivity of tropical female garment workers– a comparison between cool and hot months BMC Public Health Occupational exposure Hot temperature Productivity loss Heat stress disorders Heat adaptation measures Women working |
| title | Perceived impact of heat stress on health and productivity of tropical female garment workers– a comparison between cool and hot months |
| title_full | Perceived impact of heat stress on health and productivity of tropical female garment workers– a comparison between cool and hot months |
| title_fullStr | Perceived impact of heat stress on health and productivity of tropical female garment workers– a comparison between cool and hot months |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perceived impact of heat stress on health and productivity of tropical female garment workers– a comparison between cool and hot months |
| title_short | Perceived impact of heat stress on health and productivity of tropical female garment workers– a comparison between cool and hot months |
| title_sort | perceived impact of heat stress on health and productivity of tropical female garment workers a comparison between cool and hot months |
| topic | Occupational exposure Hot temperature Productivity loss Heat stress disorders Heat adaptation measures Women working |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22787-0 |
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