ADAPTATION STRATEGIES TO HUMAN PHYSIOLOGICAL DISCOMFORT AMONG ELDERLY PEOPLE IN KATSINA URBAN, KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/jees.2024.0101/05Keywords:
Adaptation,, Physiological Discomfort,, Humidity,, Temperature,, Thermal StressAbstract
Information on adaptation strategies to human physiological discomfort is very important for individuals, groups of people, planners, and policymakers in the world's tropical regions where thermal stress poses a significant threat to life, especially among elderly people. Based on this, the aim of the study, therefore, is to assess adaptation strategies to human physiological discomfort among elderly people due to temperature and humidity extremes in residential areas and workplaces during the hot and cold seasons in Katsina. A total of 100 copies of a questionnaire were administered to the elderly people to obtain information on their adaptation strategies. A stratified random sampling method was used to select the respondents in the study area. Descriptive statistics were then used to describe their perception of adaptation strategies to human physiological discomfort. Results obtained revealed that in the hot season, the majority of the respondents at residence areas and working places perceived outdoor and indoor with fans "respectively" as their best-adapting strategies to human physiological discomfort due to temperature and humidity extremes. However, in the cold season, the study revealed that the majority of the respondents in residence areas and workplaces perceived thick dress as their best-adapting strategy for human physiological discomfort due to temperature and humidity extremes. Adapting strategies to human physiological discomfort depends primarily not only on environmental conditions but relaxing in natural environments and using customized clothing materials. People are encouraged to continue planting trees in and around their homes, working workplaces and to adequately prepare to adapt to extreme hot and cold seasons.
References
Abaje, I.B., Ati, O.F. & Iguisi, E.O. (2012a). Changing Climatic scenarios and strategies for drought adaptation and mitigation in the Sudano-Sahelian Ecological Zone of Nigeria. In M.A. Iliya& I.M. Dankani (Eds), Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Nigeria (pp. 99-121). Ibadan: Crown F. Publishers.
Abaje, I.B., Sawa, B.A. & Ati, O.F. (2014). Climate Variability and Change, Impacts and Adaptation Strategies in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area of Katsina State, Nigeria. Journal of Geography and Geology, 6 (2), 103-112.
Akande, O.K (2010) Passive Design Strategies for Residential Buildings in a Hot Dry Climate in Nigeria.
Eludoyin, O.M. (2014). A Perspective of the Diurnal Aspect of Thermal Comfort in Nigeria. Atmospheric and Climate Sciences,04,696-709. Doi: 10.4236/acs.2014.44063.
Eludoyin, O.M. (2015). Assessment of Daytime Physiologic Comfort, its Perception and Coping Strategies Among People in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria.
Hatvani-Kovacs, G., Martin, B., Natalie, S., John, P., John, B. (2016) Drivers and Barriers to Heat Stress Resilience. Science of the Total Environment, 571: 603614.
IPCC. (2001). Climate change: the scientific basis. Cambridge University Press, England, p 881.
Kumar, A. K., Sinha, R., Aurora, H., Kapoor, S. (2016). Adaptation to Heat and Cold. P. 09 Physiology and Sports Anthropology. Module (25). Physiological adaptation to heat and cold.
Nigerian Meteorological Agency. (2012). Temperature. 2012 Nigeria Climate Review (pp 19-24). Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Abuja.
Norton, B. A., Coutts, A. M., Livesley, S. J., Harris, R. J., Hunter, A. M., and Williams, N. S. G. (2015). Planning for Cooler Cities: A Framework to Prioritise Green Infrastructure to Mitigate High Temperatures in Urban Landscapes. Landscape and Urban Planning (134) 127-138.
Oke T., Johnson G., T., Steyn D., G., Watson I., D. (1991). Simulation of Surface Urban Heat Islands Under Ideal Conditions at Night Part 2 Diagnosis of Causation (56) 275- 294.
Okpo, A.S. (2008). Fundamentals of Research Methodology for Accounting, Finance and Business.
Olumuyiwa, B.A., Hezekiah, A.A (2019) Adaptation to Heat Stress within Housing Estates in Akure, Nigeria.
Paolo C., Batul H., Francesco G., Kai Z., Lungi J, (2021) Human responses and adaptation in a changing climate: A framework integrating biological, psychological and behavioral aspects.
Sawka, M.N., Castellani, J., Pandolf, K.B., Young, A. J. (2002). Human Adaptations to Heat and Cold Stress. Environmental Physiology.
United States Global Change Research Program USGCRP. (2016). Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States. A Scientific Assessment. Crimmins, A., Balbus, J., Gamble, J.L., Balbu Beard, J.E., Bell, D., Dodgen, R.J., Eisen, N., Fann, M.D., Hawkins, S.C., Herring, L., Jantarasami, D.M., Mills, S., Saha, M.C., Sarofim., Trtanj., and Ziska, L. eds.
Veronica, S., Helen,B. (2014) Thermal Comfort and Occupant Responses During Summer in a Low to Middle Income Housing Development in South Australia.
World Health Organization (2003) The health impacts of 2003 summer heat waves (briefing note for the delegations of the fifty-third session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe). Pp12.
Yamane, T (1967) Statistics. An introductory analysis. A 2nd edition New York: Harper and Row.
