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Association between ambient particulate matter and respiratory health among schoolchildren in Dar es Salaam city, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Association between ambient particulate matter and respiratory health among schoolchildren in Dar es Salaam city, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Justus Kamara, Stephen Kishinhi, Asinta Manyele, Happiness Saronga, Jovine Bachwenkizi
Source: BMC Public Health, Vol 25, Iss 1, Pp 1-8 (2025)
Publisher Information: BMC, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Public aspects of medicine
Subject Terms: Ambient particulate matter, Respiratory health, Schoolchildren, Public aspects of medicine, RA1-1270
Description: Abstract Background Urbanization and industrial activities have significantly contributed to the deterioration of air quality, with ambient particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) posing a major public health concern in most cities of developing countries. The impact of these pollutants on respiratory health, particularly that of schoolchildren, has remained inadequately studied. Objective This study aimed to determine the level of ambient particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and its association with respiratory symptoms among school children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study targeting schoolchildren aged 9–16 to investigate the impact of air pollution on respiratory health. A sample of 427 children was selected through stratified random sampling, which combined primary and secondary data. Standardized questionnaires and air quality monitoring for PM exposure were used to collect data. Analysis methods included descriptive statistics, and logistic regression to elucidate the association between PM exposure and respiratory symptoms. Results The prevalence of respiratory symptoms among the schoolchildren was notably high, with 35.1% reporting coughing, 26.7% wheezing, 31.4% breathlessness, and 28.1% severe chest illness. Significant associations were found between proximity to pollution sources (OR = 3.4, 95% CI: 2.3–5.0, p
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1471-2458
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/1471-2458
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-025-22517-6
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/2a34da00b6b0443495da9c20ef60184f
Accession Number: edsdoj.2a34da00b6b0443495da9c20ef60184f
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
Description
Abstract:Abstract Background Urbanization and industrial activities have significantly contributed to the deterioration of air quality, with ambient particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) posing a major public health concern in most cities of developing countries. The impact of these pollutants on respiratory health, particularly that of schoolchildren, has remained inadequately studied. Objective This study aimed to determine the level of ambient particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and its association with respiratory symptoms among school children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study targeting schoolchildren aged 9–16 to investigate the impact of air pollution on respiratory health. A sample of 427 children was selected through stratified random sampling, which combined primary and secondary data. Standardized questionnaires and air quality monitoring for PM exposure were used to collect data. Analysis methods included descriptive statistics, and logistic regression to elucidate the association between PM exposure and respiratory symptoms. Results The prevalence of respiratory symptoms among the schoolchildren was notably high, with 35.1% reporting coughing, 26.7% wheezing, 31.4% breathlessness, and 28.1% severe chest illness. Significant associations were found between proximity to pollution sources (OR = 3.4, 95% CI: 2.3–5.0, p
ISSN:14712458
DOI:10.1186/s12889-025-22517-6