Prevalence of respiratory symptoms in children and air quality by village in rural Indonesia

Abstract

Aim: This study compared prevalence of respiratory symptoms in three Indonesian villages and related this to air quality. Methods: We interviewed caregivers of 382 children, using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire, and monitored air quality during the survey period. Results: Respiratory symptom prevalence was highest in Kerinci (40.5%), followed by SP7 (33.3%) and Pelalawan (19.8%). Compared with Pelalawan, adjusted odds ratios were 3.17 (95% confidence interval, 1.43-7.07) for Kerinci, and 2.03 (1.04-3.96) for SP7. Ambient air quality levels were highest in Kerinci for PM10 and hydrocarbon (means: 102.9 μg/m3, 10.5 μg/m3), followed by SP7 (73.7 μg/m3, 6.3 μg/m3) and Pelalawan (26.1 μg/m3, 4.7 μg/m 3). Conclusions: The higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms in Kerinci and SP7 could be the result of higher PM10 and hydrocarbon levels in these locations.