Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of the Relationship between Air Pollution and Children’s Respiratory Health in Shanghai, China

Rui Wang, Yingying Yang, Renjie Chen, Haidong Kan, Jinyi Wu, Keran Wang, Jay E. Maddock and Yuanan Lu
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Rui Wang: School of Public Health, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China
Yingying Yang: School of Public Health, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China
Renjie Chen: School of Public Health, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China
Haidong Kan: School of Public Health, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China
Jinyi Wu: School of Public Health, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China
Keran Wang: School of Public Health, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China
Jay E. Maddock: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
Yuanan Lu: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 2, 1-15

Abstract: To assess the status of, and factors associated with, residents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to air pollution and respiratory health of children in Shanghai, we conducted a cross-sectional survey. Demographic factors associated with residents’ knowledge were identified by multiple logistic regressions. The questionnaires were completed by 972 participants, half from the Shanghai Children Hospital and the other half from the Jiading communities. Half of the participants’ scores of knowledge and attitudes were equal or greater than 8.0 on a 9-point scale, over 75% of respondents’ practice scores were equal to or less than 4.0. Our studies demonstrated a significant difference of average knowledge scores between the two groups ( t = 1.27, p < 0.05). The parents’ educational level (OR = 1.89, 2.48) and average annual household income (AAHI) (OR = 2.37, 2.40, 2.12) were the two strongest factors on knowledge awareness. In addition, statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between the two groups in their attitudes towards air quality and their perception of the government’s efforts to alleviate it. The hospital and community groups also showed significant differences in practices geared towards protecting their children’s health. Nearly 90% of the respondents agreed that improving air quality is the responsibility of every citizen, and the joint action of governments and all citizens should be utilized for enhanced control. In addition, more resources should be allocated towards providing citizens with appropriate practices to help lessen the effects of poor air quality.

Keywords: air pollution; children’s respiratory health; knowledge; attitudes; practices (KAP) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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