Climate Change and Occupational Heat Strain among Women Workers: A Systematic Review

Purpose. Climate change increases heat stress exposure and occupational heat strain in tropical and subtropical regions with generally hot- humid climate conditions. The present systematic review was conducted to assess the effect of climate change on occupational heat strain among women workers.Materials. In this study, three main databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched to find relevant literature on climate change and its effects using subject headings and appropriate Mesh terms. This article has been written according to the PRISMA checklist. A total of ۶۱۷۶ studies were identified for screening and ۱۳ studies were eligible for data extraction.Results. The evidence suggests a positive relationship between climate change and occupational heat strain among women workers, and the most likely mechanism of heat strain involves dehydration, fatigue, dizziness, reduced brain function, loss of concentration, and discomfort. The findings reflect a decreased awareness of climate change impact on occupational heat strain in women workers due to physiological responses during exposure to hot- humid weather conditions and the economic benefits associated with averting heat strain and poor health outcomes.Conclusion. This systematic study identifies key priorities for action to better characterize and understand how occupational heat strain among women workers may be associated with climate change events. Strong evidence indicates that climate change will continue to cause occupational heat strain among women workers. Anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, controlling, researching, surveillance, risk assessment, risk management, and policy development may be useful tools and may provide a useful decision-making framework for preventing adverse effects on workers.

Keywords:

Systematic Review , Climate Change , Occupational Heat Strain , Women Workers