Albers Patricia Nicole, Wright Caradee Y, Voyi Kuku V V, Mathee Angela
Environment and Health Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, South Africa; School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
S Afr Med J. 2015 Sep 21;105(7):573-7. doi: 10.7196/SAMJnew.7934.
This cross-sectional study examined respiratory health outcomes and associated risk factors in children living in a part of South Africa characterised by high levels of air pollution.
A questionnaire was used to collect self-reported respiratory health and risk factor data from the parents/guardians of children between the ages of 9 and 11 years attending primary schools in the study area. Six government schools were selected based on their location, class size and willingness to participate. Univariate and bivariate analyses as well as logistic regression analysis were performed on the data, using a p-value of 0.25 and biological plausibility.
The overall prevalence of respiratory ill-health symptoms was 34.1%. The prevalence of respiratory ill-health conditions was significantly elevated among children from households using non-electrical fuels v. electricity for cooking (43.9% v. 31.6%; adjusted p-value 0.005). The same was noted among those using non-electrical fuels for heating (37.8% v. 29.0%).
The elevated prevalence of some respiratory health outcomes among schoolchildren, especially in conjunction with domestic fossil fuel burning, is of concern. The data collected in this study may be used to complement or form a basis for future policy regarding indoor or ambient air quality in the area.
这项横断面研究调查了生活在南非某空气污染严重地区的儿童的呼吸健康状况及相关风险因素。
采用问卷调查从研究区域内9至11岁小学生的父母/监护人那里收集自我报告的呼吸健康和风险因素数据。根据学校位置、班级规模和参与意愿选择了6所公立学校。对数据进行单变量和双变量分析以及逻辑回归分析，使用p值0.25和生物学合理性。
呼吸健康不良症状的总体患病率为34.1%。使用非电力燃料做饭的家庭的儿童中，呼吸健康不良状况的患病率显著高于使用电力做饭的家庭（43.9%对31.6%；校正p值0.005）。使用非电力燃料取暖的儿童中也有同样情况（37.8%对29.0%）。
学童中某些呼吸健康状况患病率升高令人担忧，尤其是与家庭燃烧化石燃料有关。本研究收集的数据可用于补充或为该地区未来关于室内或环境空气质量的政策提供依据。
