Heatwave preparedness in urban Georgia: A street survey in three cities

van Loenhout, Joris [UCL] Vanderplanken, Kirsten [UCL] Rodrigues Leal Moitinho De Almeida, Maria [UCL] Kashibadze, Tamari Giuashvili, Nia Gamkrelidze, Amiran

Background: The frequency and intensity of heatwaves are expected to increase in the coming years. To promote resilient cities, it is key to have insights in populations with low preparedness levels. This study investigated personal characteristics associated with heatwave-protective knowledge, and preferred information channels and sources on this topic in cities in Georgia. Methods: We undertook a street survey among three large cities in Georgia, including the capital Tbilisi. We collected demographic, socio-economic, medical and behavioural characteristics as potential risk factors for reduced heatwave-protective knowledge. Furthermore, we asked respondents about information channels and sources they use and prefer to obtain information on heatwave-protective measures. Results: Being male, parent of children under the age of 12 and having a lower educational level are risk factors for lower knowledge levels on heatwave protection. Being homemakers, retiree, having fasted and using medication are protective factors. Television and internet are the channels more often used for obtaining in-formation on heatwave-protective measures, and people prefer to receive information on this topic from health authorities. Conclusion: Our findings identified characteristics that make people more vulnerable to heatwaves, due to a reduced knowledge level on heatwave protection. Targeted communication towards these groups, using infor-mation sources and media specifically aimed at this target audience, could improve this.