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

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Rui Wang²  Yingying Yang²  Renjie Chen²  Haidong Kan²  Jinyi Wu²  Keran Wang²  Jay E. Maddock¹  Yuanan Lu¹ 

[1]Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA

[2] E-Mail:

[3]School of Public Health, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China

[4] E-Mails:

关键词: air pollution;    children’s respiratory health;    knowledge;    attitudes;    practices (KAP);   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph120201834

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

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.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.