背景:与儿童空气污染相关的呼吸系统疾病和健康症状是主要的公共卫生问题,因为他们的免疫系统和肺还没有完全发育。这项研究旨在评估Melusi非正式聚居地6岁及以下儿童自我报告的呼吸系统状况和与空气污染源相关的健康症状。Tshwane大都会市,南非。
方法:采用定量横断面研究设计,来自8个儿童早期发展中心的6岁及以下儿童(n=300)的父母/照顾者被邀请参加这项研究。这项研究采用了完整的抽样,使用改良的儿童哮喘和过敏国际研究收集数据。采用卡方和多元logistic回归模型对数据进行分析,调整后的比值比p<0.05被认为具有统计学意义。
结果:运行三个模型来检查过去12个月喘息的预测因素,干咳,和水汪汪的眼睛。哮喘模型被排除在外,因为只有7名参与者报告患有哮喘。过去12个月的喘息与在该地区居住超过三年的参与者有关(OR2.9695CI:1.011-8.674)。此外,在过去12个月有一只狗在房子里与过去12个月的喘息有关(OR5.9895CI:2.107-16.967).居住时间与干咳患病率之间存在关联(OR5.6395CI:2.175-14.584)。总是或经常经过房屋附近的卡车与眼睛发痒相关(OR3.2795CI:1.358-7.889)。59%(59%)的参与者认为他们家中的室内空气质量很好,而6%的人认为它很差。相比之下,36%的参与者认为室外空气质量良好,19.7%的人认为它很差。
结论:感知的空气污染暴露,自我报告的呼吸状况,儿童的健康症状很复杂。需要进一步研究,以更好地了解空气污染的多面性及其对儿童健康的影响。
BACKGROUND: Respiratory conditions and health symptoms associated with air pollution in children are a major public health concern, as their immune systems and lungs are not yet fully developed. This study aimed to assess self-reported respiratory conditions and health symptoms associated with air pollution sources amongst children aged six years and below in Melusi informal settlement, Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa.
METHODS: With a quantitative cross-sectional study design, parents/caregivers of children aged six years and below (n = 300) from eight Early Childhood Development Centres were invited to participate in the study. This study employed complete sampling, and data was collected using the modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children. The chi-square and multiple logistic regression models were used to analyze data, with p < 0.05 in the adjusted odds ratios considered as being statistically significant.
RESULTS: Three models were run to examine the predictors of wheezing in the past 12 months, dry cough, and itchy-watery eyes. The model for asthma was excluded, as only seven participants reported having asthma. Wheeze in the past 12 months was associated with participants living in the area for more than three years (OR 2.96 95%CI: 1.011-8.674). Furthermore, having a dog in the house in the past 12 months was associated with wheeze in the past 12 months (OR 5.98 95%CI: 2.107-16.967). There was an association between duration of stay in a residence and dry cough prevalence (OR 5.63 95%CI: 2.175-14.584). Trucks always or frequently passing near homes was associated with itchy-watery eyes (OR 3.27 95%CI: 1.358-7.889). 59% (59%) of participants perceived the indoor air quality in their homes to be good, while 6% perceived it as poor. In contrast, 36% of participants perceived the outdoor air quality to be good, and 19.7% perceived it as poor.
CONCLUSIONS: The association between perceived air pollution exposure, self-reported respiratory conditions, and health symptoms amongst children is complex. Further research is required to better understand the multifaceted nature of air pollution and its impact on the health of children.