We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Spatial variance and estimation of nitrogen dioxide levels as a contributing factor to asthma epidemiology in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
- Authors
Shabnum, Javairia; Ahmad, Sheikh Saeed; Noor, Mehwish Jamil
- Abstract
Asthma prevalence and morbidity are increasing rapidly worldwide, especially in developing countries. Previous studies have shown nitrogen dioxide as an important contributor to asthma prevalence along with extreme temperatures, relative humidity, and land use change. The present study aimed to assess the asthma epidemiology and association of nitrogen dioxide, temperature, and land use as a contributing factor for increasing asthma prevalence in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Secondary data related to the frequency of asthmatics hospital visits were analyzed to figure out the hotspots of asthma by using Getis ord Gi* statistics in ArcGIS 10.2. Moreover, intraurban variation of nitrogen dioxide concentration was analyzed by passive sampling method and its association with the rate of asthmatics hospital visits in Rawalpindi, Pakistan was also researched. Results revealed the random distribution of disease with significant hotspots along with spatial variability of nitrogen dioxide in urban and rural locations. Indoor and outdoor levels of nitrogen dioxide exceed the national and world health organization standards on asthma high risk areas especially in winter season. Congested housing with poor ventilation, unplanned urbanization, cold temperature, and unclean fuel use are revealed as strong determinants of asthma prevalence in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Extensive monitoring and interventions are needed for the reduction of both indoor and outdoor nitrogen dioxide levels to overcome the increasing rate of asthma prevalence.
- Subjects
RAWALPINDI (Pakistan); NITROGEN dioxide; DISTRIBUTION (Probability theory); ASTHMA; ENVIRONMENTAL sampling; EPIDEMIOLOGY; SMOKING statistics
- Publication
Environmental Monitoring & Assessment, 2023, Vol 195, Issue 10, p1
- ISSN
0167-6369
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10661-023-11758-w