Hydration knowledge, behaviours and status of staff at the residential camp of a fly-in/fly-out minerals extraction and processing operation in tropical North-Eastern Australia.
A study was conducted with staff at a fly-in/fly-out mine camp to determine the: hydration knowledge, perceptions and behaviours; hydration status and needs; and perceived taste of potable water. A structured questionnaire was used to survey the self-reported hydration behaviour, knowledge and perception of. The study of the hydration status and needs of day shift staff while at the residential camp comprised measurements at 1800 h and 0600 h of weight, urine specific gravity and fluid intake. Staff rated the perceived taste of bottled, filtered potable and unfiltered potable waters on a seven point visual analogue scale. The mean correct responses to the knowledge items surveyed (n=78) was 9.2 out of 12. Three-quarters (n=15) of the 20 responses to an open-ended question suggested improved water taste to increase water consumption. In the hydration status study (n=46), the mean urine specific gravities at 1800 h and 0600 h were both 1.022, and the median fluid intake and loss rates were both 2.1 ml.kg(-1).h(-1). Staff (n=105) rated unfiltered water (median 4.0) as tasting significantly worse than bottled (median 6.0) or filtered (median 6.0) waters (Friedman test, p<0.001). While dehydration knowledge appears adequate, the observed fluid intakes and specific gravities demonstrate that external factors such as perceived taste of water influence hydration behaviour.
Carter
Anthony
A
School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, Australia.
Muller
Reinhold
R
D000328:Adult; D001359:Aviation; D003681:Dehydration / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004326:Drinking; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008906:Mining; D016272:Occupational Health; D011793:Queensland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires