A qualitative study on the knowledge, perceptions, and practices regarding heatwaves among mothers of young children in a slum of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Heat waves are a global concern that affects millions of people's health and well-being worldwide. Bangladesh is no exception, and the resource-constrained slum community suffers from its impact on a massive scale due to poor housing, a lack of essential services, and the unavailability of affordable health facilities. Mothers and children are the most vulnerable groups. This study aims to explore the knowledge, perception, and practice regarding heat waves and their associated impacts on mothers of young children in a slum in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Employing a qualitative approach involving 12 in-depth interviews with mothers of young children and 4 key-informant interviews with valuable community stakeholders, the knowledge, perception, and practices among mothers were captured. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to capture the diverse experiences of the mothers. The interview guidelines were focused on how much they know about heatwaves, and their relation to climate change, their perception of how heatwave affects their life, and their coping mechanism and health-seeking behavior for the heatwaves. Thematic data analysis highlighted patterns and unique insights from their lived experience. The findings reveal that while mothers are aware of the increasing heat, their understanding of its causes and health implications is limited. Many reported heat-related illnesses in children along with themselves, such as dehydration, fever, and heat rash, but financial and logistical constraints often hindered healthcare access. Coping mechanisms included using cooling solutions and increasing water intake, but these measures were insufficient to mitigate the severe impacts of extreme heat. This study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions, including awareness campaigns, affordable healthcare access, and community-level support systems to address the challenges of heatwaves in urban slums. The insights gained can inform policies to improve resilience and reduce health vulnerabilities among marginalized populations in rapidly urbanizing areas.