ABSTRACT
To study the adaptive strategies from harmful effect of heat wave on an urban, educated, well to do subjects for a period of May to July 2014. 250 selected young students of RIHS. Descriptive Study. Rawal Institute of Health Sciences, Islamabad. March - July 2014. A questionnaire was circulated among the students of Rawal Institute of Health Sciences Islamabad regarding effects of heat and measures taken to combat its effects. A total of 250 urban students with mean age of 19.77 +/- 1.10 years were inducted in the study, having resources to face the extreme heat. A significant number of female non boarder students [p=0.000], wearing cotton clothes [p=0.000] having fair skin [p=0.000] and using air condition at homes [p=0.000] were not acclimatized to heat waves still have headache and anxiety. A great percent of students did not complaint of headache, heat exhaustion, heat cramp or syncope, except mild sweating, effect on studies. A great percentage [>65%] of students complained of malaise, nausea vomiting. Male students showed increase thirst than female, while anxiety state was noticed more in female than male students. The use of cotton clothing, daily bathing, increased water intake and use of air conditioner minimized the severe adverse effects like heat exhaustion, heat syncope, and heat stroke, although the minor effects like skin tanning, disturbed sleep, anxiety and adverse effects on studies cannot be avoided in heat wave season