Impact of air pollution on outpatient visits for acute respiratory infection in Bukit Rambai, Melaka and Muar, Johor

Numerous studies have shown that air pollution disproportionately affects children and the elderly. This study aimed to identify the main age group of patients who suffered from acute respiratory infection due to air pollution in Bukit Rambai, Melaka and Muar, Johor in 2015 to 2018. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s rank correlation coefficient by Statistical Product and Service Solutions software. Secondary data were acquired from the State Health Department and the Department of Environment through outpatient visit data on acute respiratory infection (ARI) at Klinik Kesihatan Bandar Maharani (KKBM) and Klinik Kesihatan Bukit Rambai (KKBR), as well as continuous air quality monitoring stations at SMK Bukit Rambai, Melaka, and Kolej Vokasional Muar, Johor. Except for NO2 and CO, API and other pollutants were associated with daily ARI outpatient visits in Bukit Rambai. API was negatively and significantly correlated with all pollutants except PM10 and ARI outpatient visits in Muar. KKBR saw 18,317 ARI outpatients and KKBM 181,212, predominantly 13-59-year-olds. This study shows that API had a positive association with ARI outpatient visits in the 13-59 age group in both study locations. This shows that air pollution may affect adult respiratory health more than previously anticipated. Further studies ought to look at the association between air pollution and ARI in different age groups and how it causes respiratory problems. ARI in high-risk populations can be reduced with tailored interventions using this data.

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