Identification of Urine Specific Gravity in Female Workers Exposed to Hot Environments in Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
ntroduction: Dehydration can affect body functions related to temperature regulation and blood circulation. Persistent dehydration can lead to fatigue, impaired concentration, and kidney dysfunction. Workers in labor-intensive environments, such as the brickmaking industry, are at a higher risk due to strenuous physical activity and prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Direct sunlight and the brick-firing process further increase the risk of fluid loss, highlighting the need to assess hydration status among brickmaking workers.
Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design involving 105 brickmaking workers. Individual characteristic factors, worker habit factors, work factors and work environment factors as independent variables, while the dependent variable was hydration status. Hydration status was measured using reagent strips for urinalysis, and other variables were collected through structured interviews using a questionnaire. Data collection was conducted over a period of 14 days. Data were analyzed using the Spearman rank correlation test and multiple linear regression to identify the most influential factors.
Results: The majority of study subjects were severely dehydrated, as indicated by Urine Specific Gravity (USG) measurements ranging from 1021 to 1030. The highest distribution was found in the USG range of 1026–1030, with a percentage of 36.2%. Significant factors associated with hydration status included water consumption (p = 0.000), physical workload (p = 0.000), and clothing use (p = 0.005). Other factors, such as age, nutritional status, work duration, years of experience, and heat stress, did not show a significant relationship with hydration status. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that water consumption had the most significant influence on hydration status (p=0,000).
Conclusion: Water consumption significantly impacts hydration status. These findings highlight the need for hydration education and workplace interventions, such as accessible drinking water and awareness programs, to enhance worker safety and health in brickmaking environments.
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