Heat-Health Survey for Public Health Preparedness in the Hot Desert Megacity of Cairo

Extreme heat is a major public health concern in the hot-arid desert megacity of Cairo, where urban heat island effects continue to intensify heat hazards, which are expected to grow further with climate change. To support health preparedness, this study surveyed 550 pedestrians in Cairo, assessing heat exposure, thermal comfort, and health perceptions while considering socio-cultural factors.

The analysis revealed statistically significant correlations between thermal comfort perception (ASV) and environmental perceptions including humidity (Spearman’s rho, ρₛ=0.242), wind speed (ρₛ=-0.217), solar radiation (ρₛ=0.390), dust conditions (Spearman’s rho, ρₛ=0.183), and skin-wettedness (ρₛ=0.417) perceptions. However, correlations between ASV and measured environmental conditions (air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and solar radiation) were weak, highlighting subjective biases in environmental assessments and the need to consider socio-cultural factors in public health studies.

The study found a negative correlation (ρₛ= -0.159) between air-quality perception and ASV, suggesting that individuals who perceived higher temperatures also reported lower air-quality. However, measured pollution levels (PM10, PM2.5, CO₂) showed no correlation with ASV, indicating a disconnect between perceived and actual air-quality. No significant relationship was found between environmental parameters and general health satisfaction and quality of life, suggesting that thermal discomfort is not always linked to overall health perceptions.

Further analysis highlighted socio-cultural biases in self-reported health and environmental perceptions, particularly regarding pollution levels and personal health ratings. Individuals accustomed to high pollution may not explicitly acknowledge its impact, and their perception of air quality was not necessarily tied to location.

A Pearson’s Chi-squared test revealed significant demographic variations in thermal comfort perception, with age, gender, and education level strongly influencing ASV scores. These findings highlight the need for targeted health interventions to reduce urban heat vulnerability and emphasise the importance of integrating subjective and objective environmental assessments into urban planning and climate adaptation strategies in Cairo’s evolving urban landscape.