Health Tips
The Effects of Air Pollution on Health of School Children in Hong Kong
The Effects of Air Pollution on Health of School Children in Hong Kong
The Study | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Chinese University of Hong Kong conducted a study of the effects of air pollution on health of school children in Hong Kong during 1995-1997. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aim:
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Result:
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Study Subjects:
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Method:
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Comparison of Prevalence of Respiratory Illnesses Among Different Districts
Respiratory symptoms | Shatin | Mongkok | Kwun Tong | |||
% | OR | % | OR | % | OR | |
frequent cough for >3 months | 6.4 | 1.0 | 5.1 | 0.78 | 8.8 | 1.59* |
frequent sputum for >3 months | 6.6 | 1.0 | 5.0 | 0.69 | 8.0 | 1.19 |
occasional wheeze without flu | 4.9 | 1.0 | 6.0 | 1.36 | 8.8 | 1.98** |
shortness of breath with wheeze | 5.1 | 1.0 | 8.7 | 1.83** | 14.4 | 3.40*** |
wheezing after exercise | 3.3 | 1.0 | 4.7 | 1.58 | 6.3 | 2.18** |
Respiratory illnesses | ||||||
asthma | 4.1 | 1.0 | 7.1 | 1.88** | 9.2 | 2.41*** |
bronchitis | 8.4 | 1.0 | 14.6 | 1.87*** | 11.1 | 1.34 |
illness in the past two weeks | 42.0 | 1.0 | 51.4 | 1.34* | 52.9 | 1.44** |
bed rest >= 3 days | 3.6 | 1.0 | 5.1 | 1.47 | 5.6 | 1.82* |
* p< 0.05 ** p<0.01 *** p<0.001 OR = odds ratio (an indicator of the level of risk) |
Conclusions
Air quality could be an important factor towards health. | ||
School children in Kwun Tong had the worst health status while those in Shatin had the best status. | Improvement in air quality could lead to reduction of respiratory illnesses. |