Korukire Noel, Kwizera Jean Claude, Duhekunyurwa Cynthia, Makaka Sandra, Kitema Felix R, Irafasha Felicien, Muhire Jean, Dukuziyaturemye Pierre, Musabwa Edith, Banamwana Celestin, Karakwende Patrick
Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Mediciene and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda.
Rwanda J Med Health Sci. 2023 Nov 30;6(3):389-397. doi: 10.4314/rjmhs.v6i3.12. eCollection 2023 Nov.
Exposure to polluted air is a significant cause of negative health effects. Air quality is crucial in hospital environments as patients and healthcare workers spend more time in such settings for treatment where they experience prolonged and repetitive exposure; however, comprehensive studies on air quality in hospital environments in Rwanda are scarce.
This study aimed to determine the indoor and outdoor air quality concentration levels in selected hospitals and investigate potential sources of air pollution.
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in two public and two private hospitals in Kigali that were randomly selected using a simple random sampling technique. Real-time particulate matter (PM), PM and PM were measured using calibrated Purple Air PA-II sensors. An observation checklist was used to identify potential sources of air pollution. One way ANOVA and t-tests were performed.
Air quality levels in selected hospitals exceeded acceptable limits. The daily average indoor PM concentration ranged from 23.52 µg/m to 121.60 µg/m, and the PM levels varied from 25.98 µg/m to 131.17 µg/m. In all hospitals, the difference in average indoor and outdoor PM and PM concentrations were not statistically significant.
All recorded concentrations exceeded the WHO air quality guidelines. The study calls for strategies to improve air quality in hospitals.
暴露于污染空气中是对健康产生负面影响的一个重要原因。空气质量在医院环境中至关重要，因为患者和医护人员在这些场所花费更多时间接受治疗，他们会经历长期且反复的暴露；然而，卢旺达医院环境空气质量的综合研究很少。
本研究旨在确定选定医院的室内和室外空气质量浓度水平，并调查空气污染的潜在来源。
本描述性横断面研究在基加利的两家公立医院和两家私立医院进行，采用简单随机抽样技术随机选择。使用校准后的Purple Air PA-II传感器测量实时颗粒物（PM）、PM 和 PM。使用观察清单来识别空气污染的潜在来源。进行了单因素方差分析和 t 检验。
选定医院的空气质量水平超过了可接受的限度。室内 PM 日均浓度范围为 23.52 µg/m 至 121.60 µg/m，PM 水平在 25.98 µg/m 至 131.17 µg/m 之间变化。在所有医院中，室内和室外 PM 及 PM 平均浓度的差异无统计学意义。
所有记录的浓度均超过了世界卫生组织的空气质量指南。该研究呼吁采取改善医院空气质量的策略。
