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Severe Heat Waves Can Trigger Premature Delivery, Says Public Health Professor
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Heat waves can lead to dehydration, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion
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Pregnant women and outdoor workers face higher risks from heat waves
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Reducing activities that cause global warming can help prevent heat waves
Eko Hot Blog reports that Professor Tanimola Akande of the University of Ilorin has warned that pregnant women face an increased risk of preterm delivery during heat waves.
In an interview, Prof. Akande said “heat waves can affect the mother as well as the foetus. The mother can experience stress. The foetus can also be stressed, which can lead to foetal distress. Sometimes, the child is even born before full term, which is known as preterm delivery or preterm labour.”
Prof. Akande explained that heat waves occur when temperatures rise higher than normal for an extended period of time.
He attributed heat waves to global warming caused by human activities like gas flaring, deforestation, and burning of fossil fuels.
The public health expert advised drinking lots of water during heat waves to avoid dehydration.
He also cautioned that elderly people, children, outdoor workers, and those with chronic diseases are most vulnerable.
“When there is intense heat, it seems like there’s no water in the ground, and water sources become dry. When this happens, it becomes difficult to get enough water for drinking, especially in rural places,” he said.
Prof. Akande called on the government to increase awareness of heat waves, enforce policies on gas flaring, improve rural areas, and ensure proper town planning to mitigate the effects of excessive heat.
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