Abuloye AP, Nevo AO, Eludoyin OM, Popoola KS, Awotoye OO
This study examined the variations in some bioclimatic characteristics of the south-western Nigeria and residents’ coping strategies to heat stress. Climate (temperature, dew point temperature, relative strain index and effective temperature) data for 10 meteorological stations between 1961 and 2013, and responses of residents of the region were examined. The study showed that temperature has increased by about 1°C between 1961-1990 and 1991-2010 periods at most stations, and that the region close to the Atlantic coast are under heat stress conditions, which has increased in the 1991-2010 period. Coping and mitigation strategies of the vulnerable settlements are largely personal adjustments; mainly change of cloth/wear and sleeping outdoor at night–in rural settlements while main technological adjustment was through use of fan and air conditioners.