Association between indoor air microbiological exposure and sick building syndrome among college dormitory students in Universiti Putra Malaysia

ABDUL RAHIM, NURUL NADIA (2022) Association between indoor air microbiological exposure and sick building syndrome among college dormitory students in Universiti Putra Malaysia. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Background: Indoor air quality (IAQ) is referred as the air that circulates throughout the building where we live and influence the health and comfort of the occupants. Microbiological pollutants of indoor air can affect the building's occupants in many ways and one of it is sick building syndrome. In the university dormitory setting, a healthy indoor air quality is needed to provide a favourable environment to the students so that the students can increase their academic performance as well as helping the university reach their core mission in educating the students. Objective: To determine the association between indoor air microbiological exposures and sick building syndrome among college dormitory students in Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted among 112 college students in Seventeenth College of Universiti Putra Malaysia. Selection of the respondents were following the inclusion and exclusion criteria that have been chosen such as he or she must be the students from the college with the range of age between 19 to 30 years old and stayed in the college for more than 3 months. Respondents were given self-administered questionnaire based on validated questionnaire that was used by previous studies from the NIOSH Indoor Environmental Quality Survey. There are 14 houses that were selected in this study for the measurement of indoor air quality (PM2.5, PM10, relative humidity (%), temperature (oC), air velocity (m/s), indoor bacteria concentration (CFU/m3) and indoor mold concentration (CFU/m3). All the data collected were analysed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Software (SPSS) Version 27. Results: Higher percentages of sick building syndrome symptoms (SBS) were reported among female (94.6%) college dormitory students compared to male (82.1%). Significant differences in symptoms of itching on arms and forearms (p < 0.05) were found among male and female college dormitories student. Besides, there were associations between indoor air pollutants which is temperature, relative humidity, indoor bacteria concentration, and indoor mold concentration (OR = 2.56, 95% CI = 2.66-9.87), (OR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.54 – 5.79), (OR=2.28, (95% CI = 2.48 – 10.93) and (OR=2.59, 95% CI = 1.75 – 8.98) respectively with sick building syndrome. Result from multiple logistic regression showed that the most significant predictor of sick building syndrome after controlling all possible confounders was indoor mold concentration. Conclusion: Exposure towards indoor bacteria, indoor mold, temperature, and relative humidity influenced the development of sick building syndrome symptoms among college dormitory students. This study suggested that regular maintenance of building materials caused by moisture damage and regular housekeeping are important in maintaining a good indoor air quality in the dormitory. Keywords: Sick Building Syndrome Symptoms, Indoor Air Pollutants, Indoor Air Quality, College Dormitory Students

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Mr Hafizzuddin Hamidon
Date Deposited:	23 Aug 2023 02:13
Last Modified:	23 Aug 2023 02:13
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1207

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