Assessment of Thermoregulatory Responses During Ramadan Fasting Among Muslim Students at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, North West Nigeria

Background: Ramadan fasting involves complete abstinence from food and fluid intake from dawn to dusk, a practice observed by millions of Nigerian Muslims annually. Daytime temperatures in Sokoto frequently exceed 40 degrees Celsius, which, combined with dehydration from fasting, may compromise thermoregulatory capacity. Physiological studies of Ramadan fasting in hot Nigerian climates are limited at the undergraduate level. Objectives: This study seeks to assess changes in core body temperature, sweat rate, and urine specific gravity as markers of thermoregulatory and hydration status among fasting Muslim students at Usmanu Danfodiyo University during Ramadan. Methods: Fifty fasting students will be compared with twenty-five non-fasting age-matched controls. Tympanic temperature, body weight before and after daily activities, and mid-afternoon urine specific gravity will be measured on three non-consecutive days during the second week of Ramadan. Paired and independent t-tests will be used for analysis. Expected Outcomes: Fasting students are expected to exhibit higher tympanic temperatures, greater body weight loss, and more concentrated urine compared to controls, indicating physiological thermoregulatory stress. Conclusion: Findings will guide health advisories for Muslim students and workers during Ramadan in hot Nigerian climates. Keywords: Ramadan fasting, thermoregulation, dehydration, core temperature, Sokoto.