Home environment and health: Domestic risk factors for rhinitis, throat symptoms and non-respiratory symptoms among adults across China

摘要

Few studies exist on associations between the home environment in China and adult health. We studied associations between home environment factors (other than dampness and mould) and rhinitis, throat symptoms and non-respiratory symptoms among young parents in six cities across China (N=36,541). They were recruited as parents from randomly selected day care centers in the cities and answered a questionnaire on medical symptoms and the home environment. Multilevel logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR), adjusting for gender, atopy, smoking, home size and dampness/mould. Overall, 3.1% had weekly rhinitis, 2.8% eye, 4.1% throat and 4.8% skin symptoms, 3.0% headache and 13.9% fatigue. Redecoration was associated with rhinitis, eye and skin symptoms, headache and fatigue. New furniture was associated with eye, throat and skin symptoms and fatigue. Gas cooking was associated with eye and throat symptoms, headache and fatigue. Biomass cooking was associated with eye and throat symptoms and headache. Burning incense was associated with eye, throat and skin symptoms, headache and fatigue. Presence of cockroaches and mosquitos or flies was associated with all six symptoms. Rats or mice were associated with eye and dermal symptoms. Cat keeping was associated with eye symptoms while dog keepers had less fatigue. Living near major roads was associated with rhinitis, eye, throat and skin symptoms and fatigue. Daily cleaning, a mechanical ventilation system in the kitchen or in the bathroom, living in older buildings and living in less urbanized areas were protective factors. In conclusion, urbanization, traffic exhaust, indoor emissions from redecoration and new furniture, gas cooking and air pollution from burning incense and biomass may cause mucosal and dermal symptoms, headache and fatigue among adults in China. Indoor animals (cats, mice/rats, cockroaches) were other risk factors. Daily cleaning, mechanical ventilation and living in older buildings can be protective.