A Survey of Rural Residents' Perception and Response to Health Risks from Hot Weather in Ethnic Minority Areas in Southwest China

Ethnic minority areas in southwestern China are facing frequent high-temperature heatwaves. The health risk perceptions and responses of the local residents need to be investigated in order to formulate public policies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on health. In this study, a household survey was conducted in Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County of Chongqing from January to February 2019. A total of 624 local residents were sampled using the multi-stage sampling method. We used multivariate logistic regression models to explore the factors affecting risk perceptions and responses with regard to hot weather. The results showed that despite a relatively high level of risk perception, the study population had a very low level of willingness to see a doctor (24.4%), especially ethnic minority residents (17.5%). In particular, 80% of residents were aware of climate warming and 79% of residents were aware of the health risks of hot weather. Almost all survey participants reported a response to hot weather, with more than half of the participants stating that they would go somewhere cooler (58.5%) and drink more water (56.3%). Compared with the Han Chinese, ethnic minority participants had a higher perception of warm temperature (p<0.001) and associated health risks (p<0.001) but a lower perception of physical discomfort (p<0.001) and aggravated diseases (p = 0.001). The logistic models indicated that ethnic minority, residence time, outdoor working hours, and health status can significantly influence perceptions and subsequently significantly affect coping behaviors. In conclusion, our findings provide significant implications for the development of policies and health education and promotion programs for ethnic minorities in southwest China to aid them in maintaining good health during future hot weather events.