Mountaineering And Altitude Sickness: A Study of AMS Prevalence among Climbers of Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia
https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.19.1.3
- Author:
Muhamad Aliff Abdullah
1
;
Sam Shor Nahar Yaakob
1
;
Mohd Hafizal Ismail
1
;
Shamsulariffin Samsudin
2
;
Noor Hamzani Farizan
3
Author Information
1. Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor. Malaysia
2. Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang Selangor, Malaysia
3. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Adventure tourism, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), Mount Kinabalu, High-altitude
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2023;19(No.1):10-16
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Adventure tourism has become one of Malaysia’s most attractive tourism demands, and mountain
climbing is rapidly becoming a popular recreational sport. Exploring mountain adventures offers a dynamic experience, preserving this fascinating activity, yet the climbers are exposed to the risk of altitude sickness, such as Acute
Mountain Sickness (AMS). This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of AMS and investigate the effects of high-altitude sickness on the climber profile associated with climbing at Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia. Methods:. The Lake
Louise acute mountain sickness LLS score questionnaire collected 95 climber’s data at four different altitudes. SPO2
and Pulse rate was (PR) measured using a finger pulse oximeter. In a cohort study, AMS was measured on day one at
1866m (1st station), 3622m (2nd station), and day two at 3810m (3rd station), and 4095m (4th station). Results: At
the altitude of 1866 (Timpohon Gate), the prevalence of AMS was 0%, 30% at 3622m (Laban Rata), 34.7% at 3810m
(Sayat-Sayat), and 37.9% at 4095m (Low’s Peak). The overall prevalence of AMS was 37.9% and the majority of
AMS cases were moderate in severity and the LLS score is significant with Pulse Rate and peripheral capillary oxygen
saturation (SPO2). Conclusion: Concisely, this finding has triggered a need for consideration from multi agencies
to enhance mountaineering guidance, especially for beginners or inexperienced hikers, for a suitable package for
climbing attempts to reduce the incidence of AMS among Mount Kinabalu climbers.
- Full text:11.2023my1403.pdf
