Factors Associated with Heat Exposure Symptoms among Street Vendors on the Beach, Chonburi Province

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the prevalence of heat-related physical symptoms and identify factors associated with heat exposure among 88 street vendors operating along the beaches of Chonburi Province. Data were collected using questionnaires, physiological recording forms utilizing physiological monitoring devices, environmental heat assessment forms with Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) monitors, and workload assessment records. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, and hypotheses were tested using inferential statistics, specifically the Chi-square test. The results revealed that the majority of street vendors experienced mild heat-related symptoms. The most prevalent symptom was heat rash, reported by 40 participants (45.5%). The outdoor WBGT index ranged from 29.8°C to 33.1°C, with a mean of 31.9°C. Regarding associated factors, work duration was found to have a statistically significant relationship with the occurrence of heat-related symptoms among the vendors at a 0.05 level of significance (P-value = 0.01).