Indoor air quality (IAQ) and sick building syndrome (SBS) among healthcare workers in Universiti Putra Malaysia Teaching Hospital (HPUPM)

Jonis, Jacynthia (2023) Indoor air quality (IAQ) and sick building syndrome (SBS) among healthcare workers in Universiti Putra Malaysia Teaching Hospital (HPUPM). [Project Paper] (Submitted)

Text 201292 JACYNTHIA JONIS lpFPSK4 2023 34.pdf Download (1MB)

Abstract

Introduction: Indoor air quality (IAQ) is the air quality inside and around buildings and structures, especially for occupant health and comfort. Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a condition caused by poor indoor air quality that causes headaches, dizziness, coughing and sneezing, nausea, irritated eyes and throat, and skin itching. Healthcare workers spend much of their time in hospitals, making them vulnerable to indoor air pollution and biological pollutants. Hence, the hospital's indoor air quality must be sufficient to assure healthcare workers' health, productivity, and job satisfaction. Objective: To determine the association between exposure to indoor air pollutants and sick building syndrome symptoms among healthcare workers in different departments at Universiti Putra Malaysia Teaching Hospital (HPUPM). Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 282 healthcare workers from five selected departments at Universiti Putra Malaysia Teaching Hospital (HPUPM) aged between 20 to 60 years old from September 2022 to October 2022. Self-administered validated standardized evaluation tools (MM 040 NA Hospital 2007) were used to determine the incidence of SBS experienced among healthcare workers in HPUPM. Physical parameters (air temperature, relative humidity, air velocity), indoor air pollutants (CO2, PM2.5, PM10, TVOC), and biological parameters (total bacterial counts, total fungal counts) were measured using real-time instruments based on ICOP 2010 methods. Chi-square and Binary Logistic Regression tests were used for analyzing possible associations in SBS and the main factors influencing SBS among healthcare workers. Results: This study found that most of the air quality measurements were within the ICOP 2010 acceptable range. However, it was found that two departments had relative humidity measurements that slightly exceeded the acceptable range (40-70%). The highest CO2 concentration was found in the Department of Anesthesiology & ICU (688 ppm) and the lowest CO2 concentration was in the Department of Pediatric (468 ppm). For the biological parameter, there were no departments reported above the standard limit. The prevalence rate of SBS among healthcare workers was 23.3% (525). The most prevalence of SBS were fatigue (75.5%), followed by feeling heavy-headed (70.6%), and headaches (69.1%). There is a significant association between PM2.5, PM10, CO2, TVOC, and relative humidity with SBS (OR significant at 95% CI>1). Relative humidity was found to be a significant risk of SBS after controlling all confounders (β=3.612, p=0.042, AOR=1.554). Conclusion: SBS among healthcare workers is associated with indoor air quality. Department of Ophthalmology had the highest SBS prevalence rate. This study also found that healthcare workers complained most about fatigue, heavy-headedness, and headaches. Besides that, PM2.5, PM10, CO2, TVOC, and relative humidity were associated with SBS symptoms among healthcare workers. After controlling for confounders, this study indicated that relative humidity is the vi most significant factor in increasing SBS symptoms in healthcare workers. Therefore, this study recommends that hospital management schedule maintenance for the MVAC system according to the manufacturer's recommendations and have the equipment inspected at least once every six months to ensure its proper operation. In addition, the MVAC system must be reviewed and modified to maintain adequate airflow, temperature, and relative humidity. Healthcare workers should do housekeeping and cleaning to remove the sources of contamination. Next, more research should be undertaken to provide more information about the health effects of hospital air pollution on healthcare workers. Keywords: Indoor air quality, sick building syndrome, hospital, healthcare workers, prevalence

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms Norafizah Radzuan
Date Deposited:	17 Apr 2024 08:18
Last Modified:	17 Apr 2024 08:18
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1713

Actions (login required)

View Item