Army College of Medical Sciences and Base Hospital, New Delhi, India
10.34172/ijtmgh.2020.03
Abstract
Introduction: Extreme-altitudes (5500 m/18045 ft and higher) pose environmental, psychophysiological, infrastructural, logistic, and ergonomic challenges that question explorer’s adaptability and mission-efficiency due to isolation, monotony, intimidating environment and terse health conditions. The assessment of an explorer’s comprehensive adaptability in extreme-altitudes is of paramount importance in ensuring mission-preparedness. Knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of explorers staying on extreme-altitudes was assessed through personal interview technique. Methods: 125 healthy, acclimatized, mountain-trained explorers staying above 4570 m/15 000 ft in winter-season for at least 30 days on extreme-altitudes were assessed by a single cross-sectional study through personal interviews on KAP related to extreme-altitude and cold-adaptation. Results: Mean duration of stay on extreme-altitude was 55.7 days. All explorers knew about difficulties and health-problems at extreme-altitude. All explorers felt that mountain-training and acclimatization were beneficial. 92% felt that mission tenure of 90 days on the extreme-altitude was adequate. 92.8% felt they were adequately trained for the extreme-altitude; however, only 52% felt confident about health-training. 66.4% did preventive rewarming of extremities. 66.4% regularly smoked/chewed tobacco. 57.6% had sleep problems and 64% had altered appetite. 26.4% felt difficulties related to living conditions, infrastructure, and logistics. Conclusion: Explorers at extreme-altitude exhibited adequate knowledge and performed activities with progressive attitude and healthy practices. Explorers endured altered psychophysiology at extreme-altitude and regarded the utility of training and acclimatization programs. Knowledge-practice gap existed towards tobacco consumption. There was a felt need for the improvement of living conditions, infrastructure, logistics, and health-related training.
Khan, I. D. (2020). Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Extreme Environments and Cold Adaptation at Extreme Altitudes on the Himalayan Ranges. International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health, 8(1), 18-21. doi: 10.34172/ijtmgh.2020.03
MLA
Inam Danish Khan. "Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Extreme Environments and Cold Adaptation at Extreme Altitudes on the Himalayan Ranges". International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health, 8, 1, 2020, 18-21. doi: 10.34172/ijtmgh.2020.03
HARVARD
Khan, I. D. (2020). 'Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Extreme Environments and Cold Adaptation at Extreme Altitudes on the Himalayan Ranges', International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health, 8(1), pp. 18-21. doi: 10.34172/ijtmgh.2020.03
VANCOUVER
Khan, I. D. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Extreme Environments and Cold Adaptation at Extreme Altitudes on the Himalayan Ranges. International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health, 2020; 8(1): 18-21. doi: 10.34172/ijtmgh.2020.03