Abstract
Climate change, global warming and an increase in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves and hot days are global challenges. South Africa is one of the countries affected and will be severely affected by rising temperatures. Heat has adverse impacts on human health, and children are especially vulnerable. This study aimed to describe classroom thermal conditions, classroom characteristics and measures/guidelines in government primary schools in Gauteng Province, South Africa, to understand possible impacts on schoolchildren’s health and identify measures to prevent adverse impacts. Nine hundred and four Grade four schoolchildren in 23 government primary schools participated in this study. Data collection tools included an iButton to measure temperature and humidity, a questionnaire on the thermal perceptions and lifestyle practices of children, a principal questionnaire to determine policies and procedures in place to manage hot weather conditions, an observational questionnaire to determine classroom characteristics and SAWS data to supplement the study findings. This study's findings showed that maximum temperature readings indoors (37.55°C) and outdoors (39.61°C) and indoor maximum relative humidity levels (76.92%) exceeded the recommended levels. More than 46% of the schoolchildren perceived the temperatures in classrooms to be uncomfortable. None of the school principals (100%) had heat health guidelines in place, and they were uncertain if such guidelines existed. Regression analysis showed a statistically significant association between temperature and the classrooms constructed of bricks and converted containers and roofs that were clay-tiled and made of metal sheeting (p-value=0.001). Results also revealed a statistically significant association between temperature and a metal roof (p-value=0.014). There was variation in the number of occurrences that AT measurements exceeded the two symptom bands of caution, and danger. The heat-health risks from these bands are associated with heat cramps, heat exhaustion and the possibility of a heat stroke possible. More studies with a larger sample size in different provinces, incorporating additional schools and for different seasons and longitudinal studies are required to supplement this study's findings. This study’s findings are essential to help better design school classrooms that are thermally appropriate and to inform the development of guidelines for schools to inform preventative measures to protect health in hot weather.