Indoor Air Pollution as a Risk Factor of Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Children

Abstract

Introduction: This study was conducted to find out if indoor air pollution has any risk in occurrence of acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI) in children. Materials and methods: It was a case control study conducted on total 214 children 107 cases and 107 controls fulfilling the inclusion criteria with age and sex matched. Detailed history and physical examination was done after taking informed consent. History of upper respiratory tract infection in the family members and siblings, history of smoking by various family members , details of cooking fuel and indoor pollution was also recorded. Results: Those families using wood as a cooking material were associated with higher risk of ALRI (p=0.0001). Exposure to domestic animal was significantly positively associated (p=0.0001) and seven times higher risk to develop ALRI as compared to control group. Those children of case group who did not have separate kitchen were having nine times higher risk of ALRI (p=0.001). Family history of smoking was associated with six times increased risk of ALRI (p=0.001). With the use of kerosene lamps risk of ALRI was increased by 1.44 times (p=0.012).Conclusions: The significant environmental risk factors for ALRI were wood as cooking material, presence of domestic animal, place for cooking, family history of smoking, absence of windows and kerosene lamp as a source of light.

Effectiveness of Urban Childcare Center Indoor Air Quality Management Program (UCC-IAQ) on building related symptoms among care takes :a quasi experimental study

“…The research has identified various environmental factors that pose a risk for Acute Lower Respiratory Infection (ALRI). These factors include the utilization of wood as a cooking fuel, the presence of domestic animals, the absence of a separate kitchen, a family history of smoking, the lack of windows, and the use of kerosene lamps as a source of light (147). Nevertheless, the study on the UCC IAQ management program was unsuccessful in significantly reducing its effect on the lower respiratory system.…”