Exposure to Outdoor Particles (PM2.5) and Associated Child Morbidity and Mortality in Socially Deprived Neighborhoods of Nairobi, Kenya
Exposure to air pollution is associated with adverse health outcomes. However, the health burden related to ambient outdoor air pollution in sub-Saharan Africa remains unclear. This study examined the relationship between exposure to outdoor air pollution and child health in urban slums of Nairobi,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2018-09-01
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| Series: | Atmosphere |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/9/9/351 |
| _version_ | 1819073011024658432 |
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| author | Thaddaeus Egondi Remare Ettarh Catherine Kyobutungi Nawi Ng Joacim Rocklöv |
| author_facet | Thaddaeus Egondi Remare Ettarh Catherine Kyobutungi Nawi Ng Joacim Rocklöv |
| author_sort | Thaddaeus Egondi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Exposure to air pollution is associated with adverse health outcomes. However, the health burden related to ambient outdoor air pollution in sub-Saharan Africa remains unclear. This study examined the relationship between exposure to outdoor air pollution and child health in urban slums of Nairobi, Kenya. We conducted a semi-ecological study among children under 5 years of age from two slum areas and exposure measurements of particulate matter (PM2.5) at the village level were aligned to data from a retrospective cohort study design. We used logistic and Poisson regression models to ascertain the associations between PM2.5 exposure level and child morbidity and mortality. Compared to those in low-pollution areas (PM2.5 < 25 µg/m3), children in high-pollution areas (PM2.5 ≥ 25 µg/m3) were at significantly higher risk for morbidity in general (odds ratio (OR) = 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–1.41) and, specifically, cough (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.20–1.48). Exposure to high levels of pollution was associated with a high child mortality rate from all causes (IRR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.08–1.39) and respiratory causes (IRR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.88–1.42). The findings indicate that there are associated adverse health outcomes with air pollution in urban slums. Further research on air pollution health impact assessments in similar urban areas is required. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T17:46:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6e4df3c58aef4779b776bd29ecefd775 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T17:46:50Z |
| publishDate | 2018-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-6e4df3c58aef4779b776bd29ecefd7752022-12-21T18:55:27ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332018-09-019935110.3390/atmos9090351atmos9090351Exposure to Outdoor Particles (PM2.5) and Associated Child Morbidity and Mortality in Socially Deprived Neighborhoods of Nairobi, KenyaThaddaeus Egondi0Remare Ettarh1Catherine Kyobutungi2Nawi Ng3Joacim Rocklöv4African Population and Health Research Center, P.O. Box 10787, 00100 Nairobi, KenyaHealth Systems Evaluation and Evidence, Alberta Health Services, 11402 University Avenue, Aberhart Centre, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J3, CanadaAfrican Population and Health Research Center, P.O. Box 10787, 00100 Nairobi, KenyaDepartment of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global Health, Umea University, SE-901 87 Umea, SwedenDepartment of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global Health, Umea University, SE-901 87 Umea, SwedenExposure to air pollution is associated with adverse health outcomes. However, the health burden related to ambient outdoor air pollution in sub-Saharan Africa remains unclear. This study examined the relationship between exposure to outdoor air pollution and child health in urban slums of Nairobi, Kenya. We conducted a semi-ecological study among children under 5 years of age from two slum areas and exposure measurements of particulate matter (PM2.5) at the village level were aligned to data from a retrospective cohort study design. We used logistic and Poisson regression models to ascertain the associations between PM2.5 exposure level and child morbidity and mortality. Compared to those in low-pollution areas (PM2.5 < 25 µg/m3), children in high-pollution areas (PM2.5 ≥ 25 µg/m3) were at significantly higher risk for morbidity in general (odds ratio (OR) = 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–1.41) and, specifically, cough (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.20–1.48). Exposure to high levels of pollution was associated with a high child mortality rate from all causes (IRR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.08–1.39) and respiratory causes (IRR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.88–1.42). The findings indicate that there are associated adverse health outcomes with air pollution in urban slums. Further research on air pollution health impact assessments in similar urban areas is required.http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/9/9/351air pollutionchild healthchild morbiditychild mortalityparticulate matterurban poor |
| spellingShingle | Thaddaeus Egondi Remare Ettarh Catherine Kyobutungi Nawi Ng Joacim Rocklöv Exposure to Outdoor Particles (PM2.5) and Associated Child Morbidity and Mortality in Socially Deprived Neighborhoods of Nairobi, Kenya Atmosphere air pollution child health child morbidity child mortality particulate matter urban poor |
| title | Exposure to Outdoor Particles (PM2.5) and Associated Child Morbidity and Mortality in Socially Deprived Neighborhoods of Nairobi, Kenya |
| title_full | Exposure to Outdoor Particles (PM2.5) and Associated Child Morbidity and Mortality in Socially Deprived Neighborhoods of Nairobi, Kenya |
| title_fullStr | Exposure to Outdoor Particles (PM2.5) and Associated Child Morbidity and Mortality in Socially Deprived Neighborhoods of Nairobi, Kenya |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exposure to Outdoor Particles (PM2.5) and Associated Child Morbidity and Mortality in Socially Deprived Neighborhoods of Nairobi, Kenya |
| title_short | Exposure to Outdoor Particles (PM2.5) and Associated Child Morbidity and Mortality in Socially Deprived Neighborhoods of Nairobi, Kenya |
| title_sort | exposure to outdoor particles pm2 5 and associated child morbidity and mortality in socially deprived neighborhoods of nairobi kenya |
| topic | air pollution child health child morbidity child mortality particulate matter urban poor |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/9/9/351 |
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