Abstract

The continuous increase in the occurrence of childhood asthma in recent years has been associated with deteriorating indoor air quality and poor housing conditions, particularly in developing countries. This study investigated the levels of selected indoor air pollutants and examined the associations between self-reported household factors and asthma symptoms in children. A cross-sectional survey of individual and household characteristics was conducted among 240 respondents in 125 households via a modified International Survey on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire in peri-urban settlements in Benin city from November 2023 to April 2024. A quantitative assessment of indoor carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) concentrations was carried out in the selected households within the same period. The average ranges of CO, NO₂, PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ concentrations were 5.9–8.3 mg/m³, 0.01–0.04 mg/m³, 46.3–130.3 µg/m³, and 55.3–142.5 µg/m³, respectively. The associations between the recorded concentrations of CO, PM_2.5, PM₁₀ and the reported asthma-related symptoms were not statistically significant. Age (adjusted odd ratios = 8.04; p > 0.05, 95% CI: 1.00 -70.61), history of asthma (adjusted odds ratios = 3.19; P = 95% CI: 1.09-9.38) and household carpet status (adjusted odds ratios = 7.17; p = 0.039, 95% CI: 1.11-46.37) were significant independent risk factors for the occurrence of asthma symptoms among the children after adjusting for possible confounders. The knowledge of the risk factors linked with childhood asthma symptoms in this study may assist the parents of children at risk in adopting behavioural efforts to reduce pollutant levels and health care providers in treatment measures.

Key Words:Adjusted odds ratios, Childhood asthma, Household characteristics, Indoor air pollutants, Risk factors