Socioeconomic Correlates and Indoor Air Related Diseases in Selected Hospitals in Ogbomoso

Abstract

The paper analyses the incidence of indoor air related diseases (IARDs) in selected hospitals in Ogbomoso Nigeria. It employed secondary data from clinically diagnosed indoor air related diseases for the period of six years (2009-2013) and three year (2011-2013) where applicable. The data were analyzed using descriptive chi square to examine the variation between incidence of diseases and socioeconomic characteristic of patients in the study area. The paper reveals that the most predominant indoor air related diseases within the reviewed years were enteritis (78.5%); asthma (5.6%); cough/sneezing (4.7%) and bronchitis (3.8%) and that more females (53.5%) than males (46.4%) were susceptible to IARDs. Some 61.1% of working class age and 14.0% of infants were victims of IARDs within 2008-2013 period and year 2012 had the predominant (31.8%) incidence of IARDs in the city. Incidence of IARDs were higher at medium (13.0%) and high (13.9%) residential density areas but highest (71.9%) among patients whose residential densities were not recorded. However, tests of variations among patients' age, gender, density of residence, incidence and treatment of IARDs were significant with p-values of 0.000. The paper recommends measures to reduce exposure to air pollutants particularly on building designs to allow for more window openings and cross ventilation; behavioural adjustment to make women and children spend little time in service areas; encouraged patronage of medical care, and public-private partnership in providing and maintaining health facilities in communities