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Association between Sick Building Syndrome and Indoor Environmental Quality in Slovenian Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

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  • Sedina Kalender Smajlović

    (Angela Boškin Faculty of Health Care, Jesenice 4270, Slovenia)

  • Andreja Kukec

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia)

  • Mateja Dovjak

    (Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia)

Abstract

Increased exposure times to various health risk factors and the vulnerability of building users might result in significantly higher prevalence rates of sick building syndrome (SBS) in a hospital setting compared to other indoor environments. The purpose of our study was to assess the association between SBS symptoms and measured environmental parameters at a Slovenian general hospital. A combination of a self-assessment study and field measurements was conducted in order to estimate the health risk factors for SBS symptoms among the users of a Slovenian general hospital. The Chi-square test was used to analyse the association between observed health and environmental parameters. The response rate was 67.5%. A total of 12.0% of healthcare workers at hospital wards reported at least six SBS symptoms, 19.0% reported 2–3 SBS symptoms. At the observed hospital wards, the most deviations were recorded for the level of lighting (83.3%), noise level (73.6%), and room temperature (55.3%). A statistically significant association was found between indoor environmental quality and skin-related SBS symptoms (χ 2 = 0.009; p = 0.006). This information will be of great value in defining an integral strategy of environmental health activities aimed at healthier indoor environmental quality in hospitals.

Suggested Citation

  • Sedina Kalender Smajlović & Andreja Kukec & Mateja Dovjak, 2019. "Association between Sick Building Syndrome and Indoor Environmental Quality in Slovenian Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-18, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:17:p:3224-:d:263713
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mateja Dovjak & Masanori Shukuya & Aleš Krainer, 2018. "User-Centred Healing-Oriented Conditions in the Design of Hospital Environments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-28, September.
    2. Kuen Wai Ma & Hai Ming Wong & Cheuk Ming Mak, 2017. "Dental Environmental Noise Evaluation and Health Risk Model Construction to Dental Professionals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-16, September.
    3. Katja Tähtinen & Sanna Lappalainen & Kirsi Karvala & Jouko Remes & Heidi Salonen, 2018. "Association between Four-Level Categorisation of Indoor Exposure and Perceived Indoor Air Quality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-15, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Loganathan Salvaraji & Shamsul Bahari Shamsudin & Richard Avoi & Sahipudin Saupin & Lee Kim Sai & Surinah Binti Asan & Haidar Rizal Bin Toha & Mohammad Saffree Jeffree, 2022. "Ecological Study of Sick Building Syndrome among Healthcare Workers at Johor Primary Care Facilities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-13, December.
    2. James Olabode Bamidele Rotimi & Eziaku Onyeizu Rasheed, 2024. "The “Other” Workplace Design Factors: An Insight into What New Zealand Workers Want," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-23, September.
    3. Constantin C. Bungau & Codruta Bendea & Tudor Bungau & Andrei-Flavius Radu & Marcela Florina Prada & Ioana Francesca Hanga-Farcas & Cosmin Mihai Vesa, 2024. "The Relationship between the Parameters That Characterize a Built Living Space and the Health Status of Its Inhabitants," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-35, February.
    4. Vithawat Surawattanasakul & Wachiranun Sirikul & Ratana Sapbamrer & Kampanat Wangsan & Jinjuta Panumasvivat & Pheerasak Assavanopakun & Supang Muangkaew, 2022. "Respiratory Symptoms and Skin Sick Building Syndrome among Office Workers at University Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand: Associations with Indoor Air Quality, AIRMED Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-14, August.

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