<em>Heat Health Messages: a randomised controlled trial of a preventative messages tool in the older population of South Australia </em> — YRD
  1. Schedule
  2. Hot in the City 1: Coping with Heat (Oral Presentation)
  3. Heat Health Messages: a randomised controlled trial of a preventative messages tool in the older population of South Australia

Heat Health Messages: a randomised controlled trial of a preventative messages tool in the older population of South Australia (2803)

Monika Dr Nitschke 1 , Antoinette Krackowizer 2 , Alana Dr Hansen 2 , Peng Professor Bi 2 , Lynette Dr Cusack 3 , Lynette Pugh 4 , Graeme Tucker 1
  1. Department for Health and Ageing SA, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  2. University of Adelaide, School of Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  3. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  4. Department for Communities and Social Inclusion, Domiciliary Care, Adelaide, SA, Australia

The study explores the efficacy of providing targeted information to older individuals (≥65) and a better understanding of whether people adopt preventive messages delivered during extreme heat.

To produce reliable results, a randomised intervention trial was conducted. Eligible potential participants (637) were randomised into an intervention and a control group. At the start of summer, the intervention group received a package of evidence-based information leaflets and summarised ‘Beat the Heat’ tips. Both groups took part in an end of summer questionnaire in which questions about their behaviours and their health experiences during the extreme heat in summer 2013/14 were ascertained.

Responses were received from 216 intervention subjects and 218 controls.  Behaviour modification during extreme heat was similar in both groups except for significant increases in the use of cooling systems and the use of a wet flannel to cool the skin in the intervention group.  More people in the intervention group also claimed to have had adequate ‘Beat the Heat’ information. After adjusting for confounders, the intervention group had a significantly lower risk of experiencing heat stress than the control group (8% vs 19%).

Heat stress in older people is a significant factor of morbidity and mortality. The finding of reduced heat stress in the intervention group indicates that evidence-based and personally targeted information provided to people may result in measurably better health outcomes.  This approach could also be used or other potential risk groups including those with pre-existing heat sensitive chronic illnesses.