Influence of Subjective Factors on Window Use in Maternity Hospitals in Spring

Manxuan Xiao, Wu Deng, Haipeng Ma, Jinshun Wu, Tongyu Zhou, Jinsong Zhu, Yasha Wang and Song Pan ()
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Manxuan Xiao: School of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjing 300350, China
Wu Deng: Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China
Haipeng Ma: Tongzhou International Engineering Management Co., Ltd., Ningbo 315100, China
Jinshun Wu: Architectural Engineering College, North China Institute of Science and Technology, Beijing 101601, China
Tongyu Zhou: Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China
Jinsong Zhu: School of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjing 300350, China
Yasha Wang: Faculty of Design and Architecture, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo 315100, China
Song Pan: Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Built Environment and Energy Efficient Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-29

Abstract: Poor indoor air quality in maternity hospitals can spread respiratory diseases; however, limited research exists on modifiable factors like occupant behavior. This study explores subjective drivers of window-opening in maternity wards, using surveys and on-site measurements. Results show 71.4% of respondents stay less than 14 days, leading to dynamic and irregular window behavior. Comfort, particularly thermal comfort, air quality, and circulation, is the main driver for window operations. Especially at low temperatures, pregnant women’s comfort plays a critical role, while other factors increase in importance as temperatures rise. The results show that environmental factors drive window-opening, while indoor comfort drives closing. Occupants are more tolerant to humidity than thermal discomfort, but window adjustments are random. Moreover, respondents prioritize others’ needs in closing windows, where outdoor noise often serves as a key factor. The time also had a greater impact on both window opening and closing decisions, while field measurements confirm that time influences window-opening more than closing. A Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) analysis of the questionnaire data for ‘comfortable sensation’ showed that only ‘air circulation’ and ‘air humidity’ were correlated with comfort, whilst ‘heat sensation’ was the least correlated. The possible reason is that the questionnaire was conducted in the spring, when temperatures were within the comfort range, and therefore, occupants were more concerned with other factors. Window operations in maternity wards are a collective strategy for natural ventilation. This study shows that the factors affecting window use in maternity hospitals are different from other buildings, providing useful ideas for improving maternity ward design.

Keywords: window-opening behavior; influencing factors; maternity hospital; subjective survey; thermal comfort (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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