Asthma Symptoms, Spirometry And Air Pollution Exposure In Schoolchildren In An Informal Settlement And An Affluent Area Of Nairobi, Kenya
BMJ Group
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Abstract: This cross-sectional study investigates asthma prevalence and air pollution exposure among schoolchildren in two Nairobi communities: the informal settlement of Mukuru and the more affluent area of Buruburu. Drawing data from over 2,300 participants, researchers found that children in Mukuru had significantly higher prevalence of wheezing (9.5% vs 6.4%) and ?trouble breathing? symptoms, despite lower asthma diagnosis rates. The study measured exposure to PM2.5 using personal and ambient sensors, with Mukuru children exposed to nearly twice the pollution levels of Buruburu children. Personal exposure to dusts, fumes, mosquito coils, smoking, and refuse burning correlated with asthma symptoms, though lung function (spirometry) did not differ significantly between the groups. The study highlights underdiagnosis of asthma, environmental injustice, and inadequate healthcare in informal settlements.