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Acceptability and feasibility of research grade wearables for monitoring heat stress in Kenyan farmers

Abstract - Sub-Saharan Africa faces increasing heat events due to climate change, affecting health and productivity. Wearable technology, though promising for monitoring these impacts, is underexplored in this region. This pilot study evaluated the acceptability and feasibility of resear...

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Main Authors: Kwaro, Daniel (Author) , Mendt, Stefan (Author) , Okoth, Julius (Author) , Munga, Stephen (Author) , Gunga, Hanns-Christian (Author) , Heim, Zoë Hannah (Author) , Matzke, Ina (Author) , Bunker, Aditi (Author) , Barteit, Sandra (Author) , Maggioni, Martina Anna (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 07 May 2025
In: npj digital medicine
Year: 2025, Volume: 8, Pages: 1-16
ISSN:2398-6352
DOI:10.1038/s41746-025-01601-6
Online Access:Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-025-01601-6
Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41746-025-01601-6
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Author Notes:Daniel Kwaro, Stefan Mendt, Julius Okoth, Stephen Munga, Hanns-Christian Gunga, Zoë Hannah Heim, Ina Matzke, Aditi Bunker, Sandra Barteit & Martina Anna Maggioni
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Summary:Abstract - Sub-Saharan Africa faces increasing heat events due to climate change, affecting health and productivity. Wearable technology, though promising for monitoring these impacts, is underexplored in this region. This pilot study evaluated the acceptability and feasibility of research-grade wearables for monitoring heat stress among Kenyan subsistence farmers. In Siaya, 48 farmers (50% women) were monitored for 14 days using sensors to measure heart rate, core temperature, sleep, activity, and geo-location, alongside environmental data loggers for wet bulb globe temperature. Participants mostly rated their experience on a 5-point Likert scale and provided additional non-Likert feedback, with over 95% reporting high device likability and minimal disruption. Data availability was 88% for actigraphy and 100% for core temperature, with a median completeness of 100% for most devices. Women experienced greater heat strain than men. These findings demonstrate that research-grade wearables are acceptable and feasible for real-time heat stress monitoring in rural Africa.
Item Description:Gesehen am 09.10.2025
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:2398-6352
DOI:10.1038/s41746-025-01601-6

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