title: Heat-related symptoms in sugarcane harvesters.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exposure to heat stress is a documented risk for Central American sugarcane harvesters. However, little is known about heat-related illness in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study examined the frequency of heat-related health effects among harvesters (n = 106) exposed to occupational heat stress compared to non-harvesters (n = 63). Chi-square test and gamma statistic were used to evaluate differences in self-reported symptoms and trends over heat exposure categories.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Heat and dehydration symptoms (headache, tachycardia, muscle cramps, fever, nausea, difficulty breathing, dizziness, swelling of hands/feet, and dysuria) were experienced at least once per week significantly more frequently among harvesters. Percentages of workers reporting heat and dehydration symptoms increased in accordance with increasing heat exposure categories.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A large percentage of harvesters are experiencing heat illness throughout the harvest demonstrating an urgent need for improved workplace practices, particularly in light of climate change and the epidemic of chronic kidney disease prevalent in this population.
authors: Regional Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances (IRET), Program on Health, Work and Environment (SALTRA), Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica.
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Crowe
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Nilsson
authors: Tord
authors: T
authors: Kjellstrom
authors: Catharina
authors: C
authors: Wesseling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002980:Climate; D000067565:Farmers; D018882:Heat Stress Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D031786:Saccharum; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Central America; agricultural worker; chronic kidney disease; climate change; heat stress; sugarcane