RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Late Breaking Abstract - Ambient air pollution and respiratory health in sub-Saharan African children: a cross-sectional analysis
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP PA1798
DO 10.1183/13993003.congress-2021.PA1798
VO 58
IS suppl 65
A1 Yutong Cai
A1 Harry Gibson
A1 Kazem Rahimi
YR 2021
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/58/suppl_65/PA1798.abstract
AB Introduction: Ambient air pollution is projected to become a major environmental risk in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Yet, research into its health impacts is hindered by limited data.Aims: We aimed to investigate the cross-sectional relationship between particulate matter with a diameter<=2.5μm (PM2.5) and prevalence of cough or acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) among under-5 children in SSA.Methods: Data were collected from 31 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) in 21 SSA countries between 2005-2018. Prior-month average PM2.5 preceding the survey date was assessed based on satellite measurements and chemical transport model. Cough and ALRI symptoms in the past two weeks were reported by mothers. Associations were analysed using conditional logistic regression within each survey, adjusting for child’s age, sex, birth size, household wealth, maternal education, maternal age and month of the interview. Individual survey odds ratios (ORs) were pooled using random-effect meta-analysis.Results: 368,366 and 109,664 children were included for the analysis of cough and ALRI respectively. On average, 20.5% children had reported cough; 6.4% reported ALRI; and 32% of children lived in urban areas. Prior-month average PM2.5 ranged from 8.9 to 64.6 μg/m3. Across surveys, no associations were observed with either outcome in total populations. Sub-group analyses revealed positive associations with both cough (pooled OR: 1.013, 95%CI: 0.996-1.029) and ALRI (pooled OR: 1.037, 95%CI: 1.002-1.075) for every 1 μg/m3 higher of PM2.5.Conclusions: Short-term higher exposure to PM2.5 was associated with higher odds of maternally-reported cough or ALRI among SSA urban children.FootnotesCite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2021; 58: Suppl. 65, PA1798.This abstract was presented at the 2021 ERS International Congress, in session “Prediction of exacerbations in patients with COPD”.This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).