HIGH Horizons - Health workers impact baseline analysis

This deliverable D2.10 provides the first comprehensive baseline assessment of how rising heat affects frontline maternal and child health workers in South Africa, Zimbabwe and, for comparison, in Sweden. The assessment was undertaken within the HIGH Horizons project to generate the evidence needed for designing and evaluating heat-adaptation measures in health facilities in resource-limited settings.The study employed a mixed-methods approach between 2023 and 2025. Data sources included continuous indoor climate monitoring, a longitudinal healthworkersurvey with spot urine tests for hydration, wearable monitoring, structured observations of care, in-depth interviews and a bespoke time-motion study of intrapartum care. Two facilities in South Africa, two in Zimbabwe and nine in Sweden were included. The sites provided rich data on exposures, wellbeing and care quality.