Indoor Household Exposures and Associated Morbidity and Mortality Outcomes in Children and Adults in South Africa

Abstract

Human exposure to indoor pollution is one of the most well-established ways that housing affects health. We conducted a review to document evidence on the morbidity and mortality outcomes associated with indoor household exposures in children and adults in South Africa. The authors conducted a scientific review of the publicly available literature up to April 2022 using different search engines (PubMed, ProQuest, Science Direct, Scopus and Google Scholar) to identify the literature that assessed the link between indoor household exposures and morbidity and mortality outcomes in children and adults. A total of 16 studies with 16,920 participants were included. Bioaerosols, allergens, dampness, tobacco smoking, household cooking and heating fuels, particulate matter, gaseous pollutants and indoor spray residue play a significant role in different morbidity outcomes. These health outcomes include dental caries, asthma, tuberculosis, severe airway inflammation, airway blockage, wheeze, rhinitis, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, phlegm on the chest, current rhinoconjunctivitis, hay fever, poor early life immune function, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational hypertension, and increased incidence of nasopharyngeal bacteria, which may predispose people to lower respiratory tract infections. The findings of this research highlight the need for more initiatives, programs, strategies, and policies to better reduce the negative consequences of indoor household exposures.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Community Health Workers in Relation to Environmental Health Hazards in the Nelson Mandela Bay

“…Half of the CHWs did not appear to be aware of indoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution is a major a cause of respiratory conditions, particularly among infants, and almost doubles the risk for childhood lower respiratory conditions and causes 44% of all pneumonia deaths in children under five in low- and middle-income countries [ 36 , 37 ]. Many South African homes continue to utilize wood fuel, gas, coal, and paraffin for household purposes, and many others with access to electricity use wood and coal for cooking and heating because of the high costs of electricity [ 38 ].…”

Association between Outdoor and Indoor Air Pollution Sources and Atopic Eczema among Preschool Children in South Africa

“…The main sources of outdoor and indoor air pollution in South Africa are power plants, solid fuel combustion, transportation, environmental tobacco smoke, waste incineration, mining, and metal industries [ 3 , 6 , 7 ]. It is widely acknowledged that power plant generators play a significant role in the high levels of outdoor air pollution in South Africa [ 3 ].…”

Effect of Health Awareness Program on Rural Women Self- reported Practices Regarding Domestic Health Hazards

“…Due to the fact that most rural women spend most of their time indoors, usually at home, housing has a substantial impact on human well-being. One of the most proven effects of housing on health is human exposure to domestic health hazards ( Morakinyo & Mokgobu, 2022). Domestic health hazards are defined as a combination of physical, chemical, and biological contaminants from outdoor air, building and ornamental materials, burning appliances, and human activities.…”