Date of Award

12-2022

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MS in Epidemiology & Biostatistics

First Advisor

PROF. ZAFAR FATMI

Second Advisor

ASST. PROF. DR. ASAAD NAFEES

Third Advisor

ASST. PROF. MR. IQBAL AZAM

Department

Community Health Sciences

Abstract

Introduction: Among children aged under 5, around the globe three to five million deaths are reported annually which are attributed to ARIs. ARI is one of the leading causes of poor health globally because of its impact on young child. There is compelling evidence linking air pollution to acute respiratory infections in children. This study aimed to determine the relation between ambient air pollution (P.M 2.5 levels) and the frequency of Acute Respiratory Infection symptoms among under-5 children that are residing in Karachi.
Methodology: The Study design was a PANEL STUDY. The study involved obtaining repetitive measurements for the outcome variable i.e. (frequency of clinical symptoms of ARIs) and correlating them with 7-day averages (of the previous 7 days) for ambient air pollution (PM2.5) levels obtained from the live feed present online of the AQI (Air quality index) monitors present at the selected sites in Karachi, Pakistan.
Results: The duration of Breast feeding (in months) in our study showed as a protective factor against the incidence of ARIs in under-5 children [IRR 0.93, 95% CI 0.88, 0.97, P< 0.01]. Similarly, the use of Air humidifier in our study showed a statistically significant result to be a protective factor against the incidence of ARIs in under-5 children [IRR 0.39, 95% CI 0.15, 0.97, P=0.44].
Conclusion: The study found no association between short term exposure to PM2.5 and occurrence of ARIs. However, the study showed that the longer the duration of breastfeeding, the lesser the incidence rates of ARIs among under-5 children. Also, air humidifier in the bedroom of the child reduces the occurrence of ARIs among children.

First Page

1

Last Page

82

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