INTENSITY AND EFFECT OF DAILY MORBIDITY DURING HEAT AND HEAT WAVES IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT The case of SKOPJE 2016-2020

Authors

  • Aleksandra Petrova Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
  • Mihail Kocubovski Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
  • Beti Zafirova Ivanova Institute of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia

Keywords:

heat, heat wave, hospitalization, morbidity, action plan

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to determine the relationship between extreme heat, heat waves and hospitalization for non-accidental reasons among the population of the city of Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia.

A total of 295 patients who were hospitalized during heat waves from May 1 to September 30 in the five-year period from 2016 to 2020 was includedduration or intensity versus daily number of admissionslimited to a heat wave period.

The results obtained and statistical analysis with multiple comparisons with days of hospitalization, age groups, the Kruskal-Wallis statistical test showed a statistically significant difference in hospitalizations between the age group of 18-44 years compared to the age groups of 45-64 and over 65 years where longer hospitalizations were observed in the examined period.

Timely coordination of available measures and resources, increasing the awareness of the public and health professionals about the impact of heat waves on health are needed. Additional research is necessary regarding regulatory, financial, procedural, knowledge, and other barriers that can prevent effective heat and health action.

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2023-06-16 — Updated on 2023-07-06

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