Housing-related risk factors for respiratory disease in low cost housing settlements in Johannesburg, South Africa
| dc.contributor.author | Makene, Christina | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2008-10-17T09:34:13Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2008-10-17T09:34:13Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2008-10-17T09:34:13Z | |
| dc.description.abstract | Rapid migration of people to the urban areas of developing countries resulted in a shortage of housing and the location of people in poor housing and unhealthy environments. Studies have shown that people who live in poor housing are at increased risk of exposure to the determinants of respiratory diseases. Objective: This study investigated the influence of housing conditions on respiratory disease in selected low cost housing settlements in Johannesburg, South Africa. Methodology: Secondary data analysis based on the Health, Environment and Development (HEAD) cross-sectional study were used to explore housing conditions in relation to respiratory health. Results: Black African households comprised (77%) the major population group in the study. The overall mean number of people per household was five with household size ranging from 1 to 22 people permanently living in the household. Most of the households (48%) had an average monthly income of R1001 to R2000. The self reported household prevalence of asthma was highest among households in Riverlea (21%). Households in Riverlea had reported higher levels of asthma 33% relative to households in Bertrams. Hairdressing activities within dwellings increased the risk of asthma (OR: 2.89, 95% CI 1.46-5.73). Tuberculosis was associated with household size (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.79 – 0.99) and smoking (OR 0.4 CI 0.12 - 0.96) in the univariate analysis. However in the multivariate analysis there was no significant association between tuberculosis with household size (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.80 - 1.05) or smoking (OR 0.03, 95% CI 0.12 – 1.00). Conclusion: In this study housing quality was an important determinant of respiratory health. More intervention strategies need to be employed to improve the living environment. These include increasing awareness and education to the public and other sectors, source reduction and more guidelines for healthy housing. Finally, more research on housing and health is needed to determine the effect of housing on health. | en |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10539/5762 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en |
| dc.subject | low cost housing | en |
| dc.subject | Johannesburg | en |
| dc.subject | respiratory diseases | en |
| dc.subject | risk factors | en |
| dc.title | Housing-related risk factors for respiratory disease in low cost housing settlements in Johannesburg, South Africa | en |
| dc.type | Thesis | en |