Extreme temperatures and the mental health of healthcare professionals
© IRD - Ina Makosi, MOPGA project
Nubian vault health centre, Senegal
Waiting room at the Mboloyel health centre, built using the ‘Nubian vault’ architectural technique, a construction method with a very low carbon footprint. Here, the ‘matron’ (a nursing assistant who works alongside midwives).
Presentation
Healthcare professionals are on the front line, not only in caring for their patients, but also in dealing with the heatwaves sweeping across the Matam region. In a context where healthcare facilities are often under-equipped to deal with climatic challenges, healthcare workers have to cope with excessive heat, which exacerbates heat stress and physical and mental exhaustion.
There is therefore an urgent need to document the impacts of extreme temperatures on the mental health of healthcare professionals in order to anticipate health risks and identify adaptation strategies. The SPRINT-Sen project addresses this public health issue and benefits from the support and expertise of the international research consortium High Horizons, which is studying the impact of extreme heat on maternal and child health and on healthcare professionals working in maternity wards.
When we discuss climate change and heatwaves, we rarely think about healthcare professionals. Extreme heat wreaks havoc among those working in hospitals in the field of maternal and neonatal health. Conditions are dangerous for both healthcare professionals and their patients. It is time to take action.
How is extreme heat putting healthcare workers and their patients at risk? Rebeca White, High Horizon
In Matam, faced with the growing challenge of climate change, communities have no choice but to demonstrate resilience. In this context, this component of the SPRINT-Sen project has several objectives:
Goal 1 :
Assess the effects of extreme temperatures
Assess the effects of extreme temperatures on the mental health and psychological well-being of healthcare professionals in the Matam district.
In Matam, faced with the growing challenge of climate change, communities have no choice but to demonstrate resilience. In this context, this component of the SPRINT-Sen project has several objectives:
Goal 2 :
Identify stress factors
Identify stress factors related to working conditions in extreme heat and the coping resources used by healthcare workers.
In Matam, faced with the growing challenge of climate change, communities have no choice but to demonstrate resilience. In this context, this component of the SPRINT-Sen project has several objectives:
Goal 3 :
Provide evidence-based data
Provide evidence to guide concrete actions in psychosocial support, continuing education, and adaptation of care environments.
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Mental health strategies
It was within this context that a quantitative study was conducted in October 2024 among 218 health professionals (doctors, nurses, midwives, community health workers) working in 45 facilities in the Matam health district. A quantitative questionnaire inspired by the tool developed by High Horizons was administered, and psychometric tools were used to assess psychological well-being and perceived stress (WHO-5 scale and Perceived Stress Scale 4 (PSS-4)). The analysis of this study will enable operational recommendations to be formulated in order to strengthen mental health and support strategies for healthcare professionals in the district. It could also promote the implementation of continuing education programmes aimed at preparing and supporting staff to deal with the challenges posed by these extreme weather conditions.
