IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v21y2024i5p553-d1384095.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Impact of Air Pollution on Asthma Severity among Residents Living near the Main Industrial Complex in Oman: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Souad Mahmoud Al Okla

    (College of Medicine and Health Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 391, Sohar 321, Oman
    Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Damascus University, Damascus P.O. Box 30621, Syria)

  • Fatima Al Zahra Khamis Al Rasbi

    (College of Medicine and Health Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 391, Sohar 321, Oman)

  • Hawida Said Al Marhubi

    (College of Medicine and Health Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 391, Sohar 321, Oman)

  • Shima Salim Al Mataani

    (College of Medicine and Health Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 391, Sohar 321, Oman)

  • Yusra Mohammed Al Sawai

    (College of Medicine and Health Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 391, Sohar 321, Oman)

  • Hasa Ibrahim Mohammed

    (Liwa Extended Health Center, Ministry of Health, Liwa 325, Oman)

  • Muna Ali Salim Al Mamari

    (Liwa Extended Health Center, Ministry of Health, Liwa 325, Oman)

  • Salwa Abdullah Abdulrahim Al Balushi

    (Falaj Al Qabail Health Center, Sohar 321, Oman)

  • Abdul Qader Abbady

    (Division of Molecular Biomedicine, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Atomic Energy Commission of Syria (AECS), Damascus P.O. Box 6091, Syria
    Department of Biology and Medical Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, International University for Science and Technology (IUST), Damascus, Syria)

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a widespread chronic respiratory disease that poses a significant public health challenge. The current study investigated the associations between air pollution and asthma severity among individuals residing near the Sohar industrial port (SIP) in Oman. Despite the presence of multiple major industrial complexes in Oman, limited knowledge regarding their impact on respiratory health is accredited. Hence, the primary objective of this study is to offer valuable insights into the respiratory health consequences of industrial air pollution in Al Batinah North. Methods: The state health clinics’ records for patient visits related to asthma were collected for the timeframe spanning 2014 to 2022. Exposure was defined as the distance from the SIP, Majan Industerial Area (MIA), and Sohar Industerial Zone (SIZ) to determine high-, intermediate-, and low-exposure zones (<6 km, 6–12 km and >12 km, respectively). Exposure effect modifications by age, gender, and smoking status were also examined. Results: The conducted cross-sectional study of 410 patients (46.1% males and 53.9% females) living in over 17 areas around SIP revealed that 73.2% of asthmatics were under 50 years old, with severity significantly associated with closeness to the port. Risk ratios were estimated to be (RR:2.42; CI95%: 1.01–5.78), (RR:1.91; CI95%: 1.01–3.6), and (RR:1.68; CI95%: 0.92–3.09) for SIP, MIP, and SIZ areas, respectively, compared to the control area. Falaj Al Qabail (6.4 km) and Majees (6 km) had the highest number of asthma patients ( N 69 and N 72) and highest percentages of severe asthma cases among these patients (28% and 24%) with significant risk ratios (RR:2.97; CI95%: 1.19–7.45 and RR:2.55; CI95%: 1.00–6.48), correspondingly. Moreover, severe asthma prevalence peaked in the 25–50 age group (RR:2.05; CI95%: 1.26–3.33), and this linkage between asthma and age was much more pronounced in males than females. Smoking and exposure to certain contaminants (dust and smoke) also increased the risk of severe asthma symptoms, but their effects were less important in the high-risk zone, suggesting much more important risk factors. A neural network model accurately predicted asthma risk (94.8% accuracy), with proximity to SIP as the most influential predictor. Conclusions: This study highlights the high asthma burden near SIP, linked to port proximity, smoking, and wind direction as major risk factors. These findings inform vital public health policies to reduce air pollution and improve respiratory health in the region, prompting national policy review.

Suggested Citation

  • Souad Mahmoud Al Okla & Fatima Al Zahra Khamis Al Rasbi & Hawida Said Al Marhubi & Shima Salim Al Mataani & Yusra Mohammed Al Sawai & Hasa Ibrahim Mohammed & Muna Ali Salim Al Mamari & Salwa Abdullah , 2024. "The Impact of Air Pollution on Asthma Severity among Residents Living near the Main Industrial Complex in Oman: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(5), pages 1-26, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:5:p:553-:d:1384095
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/5/553/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/5/553/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kelton Mock & Anton M. Palma & Jun Wu & John Billimek & Kim D. Lu, 2022. "Breathing Room: Industrial Zoning and Asthma Incidence Using School District Health Records in the City of Santa Ana, California," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-12, April.
    2. Angelica I. Tiotiu & Plamena Novakova & Denislava Nedeva & Herberto Jose Chong-Neto & Silviya Novakova & Paschalis Steiropoulos & Krzysztof Kowal, 2020. "Impact of Air Pollution on Asthma Outcomes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-29, August.
    3. Pablo Orellano & Nancy Quaranta & Julieta Reynoso & Brenda Balbi & Julia Vasquez, 2017. "Effect of outdoor air pollution on asthma exacerbations in children and adults: Systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(3), pages 1-15, March.
    4. Guillaume Sit & Noémie Letellier & Yuriko Iwatsubo & Marcel Goldberg & Bénédicte Leynaert & Rachel Nadif & Céline Ribet & Nicolas Roche & Yves Roquelaure & Raphaëlle Varraso & Marie Zins & Alexis Desc, 2021. "Occupational Exposures to Organic Solvents and Asthma Symptoms in the CONSTANCES Cohort," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-13, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Angelica I. Tiotiu & Plamena Novakova & Denislava Nedeva & Herberto Jose Chong-Neto & Silviya Novakova & Paschalis Steiropoulos & Krzysztof Kowal, 2020. "Impact of Air Pollution on Asthma Outcomes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-29, August.
    2. Yii-Ting Huang & Chien-Chih Chen & Yu-Ni Ho & Ming-Ta Tsai & Chih-Min Tsai & Po-Chun Chuang & Fu-Jen Cheng, 2021. "Short-Term Effects of Particulate Matter and Its Constituents on Emergency Room Visits for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Time-Stratified Case-Crossover Study in an Urban Area," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-12, April.
    3. Melania Maria Serafini & Ambra Maddalon & Martina Iulini & Valentina Galbiati, 2022. "Air Pollution: Possible Interaction between the Immune and Nervous System?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-24, November.
    4. Szymon Hoffman & Rafał Jasiński & Janusz Baran, 2024. "Regression Modeling of Daily PM 2.5 Concentrations with a Multilayer Perceptron," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-21, May.
    5. Sarah J. D. Nauwelaerts & Koen De Cremer & Natalia Bustos Sierra & Mathieu Gand & Dirk Van Geel & Maud Delvoye & Els Vandermassen & Jordy Vercauteren & Christophe Stroobants & Alfred Bernard & Nelly D, 2022. "Assessment of the Feasibility of a Future Integrated Larger-Scale Epidemiological Study to Evaluate Health Risks of Air Pollution Episodes in Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-28, July.
    6. Szymon Hoffman & Mariusz Filak & Rafał Jasiński, 2022. "Air Quality Modeling with the Use of Regression Neural Networks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-33, December.
    7. Yun-Gi Lee & Pureun-Haneul Lee & Seon-Muk Choi & Min-Hyeok An & An-Soo Jang, 2021. "Effects of Air Pollutants on Airway Diseases," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-17, September.
    8. Zhuanlan Sun & Demi Zhu, 2019. "Exposure to outdoor air pollution and its human health outcomes: A scoping review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(5), pages 1-18, May.
    9. Giovanna Cilluffo & Giuliana Ferrante & Nicola Murgia & Rosanna Mancini & Simona Pichini & Giuseppe Cuffari & Vittoria Giudice & Nicolò Tirone & Velia Malizia & Laura Montalbano & Salvatore Fasola & R, 2022. "Effects of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons on Lung Function in Children with Asthma: A Mediation Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-14, February.
    10. Rie Masuda & Paul Lanier & Ellen Peisner-Feinberg & Hideki Hashimoto, 2021. "A Quasi-Experimental Study of the Effects of Pre-Kindergarten Education on Pediatric Asthma," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-18, October.
    11. James Scales & Hajar Hajmohammadi & Max Priestman & Luke C. McIlvenna & Ingrid E. de Boer & Haneen Hassan & Anja H. Tremper & Gang Chen & Helen E. Wood & David C. Green & Klea Katsouyanni & Ian S. Mud, 2024. "Assessing the Impact of Non-Exhaust Emissions on the Asthmatic Airway (IONA) Protocol for a Randomised Three-Exposure Crossover Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(7), pages 1-16, July.
    12. Woohyun Yoo, 2022. "Addressing the Social Determinants of Health in South Korea: Moderating Role of mHealth Technologies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-13, February.
    13. Ching-Yen Kuo & Ren-Hao Pan & Chin-Kan Chan & Chiung-Yi Wu & Dinh-Van Phan & Chien-Lung Chan, 2018. "Application of a Time-Stratified Case-Crossover Design to Explore the Effects of Air Pollution and Season on Childhood Asthma Hospitalization in Cities of Differing Urban Patterns: Big Data Analytics ," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-15, March.
    14. Yuping Dong & Helin Liu & Tianming Zheng, 2021. "Association between Green Space Structure and the Prevalence of Asthma: A Case Study of Toronto," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-25, May.
    15. Nabeela Farah & Anam Afzal & Saira Siddiqui & Naveed Farah, 2023. "Investigating Health Impact on Women Due to Domestic Cooking Fuels and Associated Social Issues in Rural Punjab," Review of Applied Socio-Economic Research, Pro Global Science Association, vol. 25(1), pages 99-111, June.
    16. Valentina Fainardi & Carlo Caffarelli & Barbara Maria Bergamini & Loretta Biserna & Paolo Bottau & Elena Corinaldesi & Arianna Dondi & Martina Fornaro & Battista Guidi & Francesca Lombardi & Maria Sol, 2021. "Management of Children with Acute Asthma Attack: A RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-19, December.
    17. Shereen Elshaer & Lisa J. Martin & Theresa A. Baker & Erin Roberts & Paola Rios-Santiago & Ross Kaufhold & Melinda Butsch Kovacic, 2023. "Environmental Health Knowledge Does Not Necessarily Translate to Action in Youth," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-14, February.
    18. Natalia Sauer & Wojciech Szlasa & Laura Jonderko & Krystyna Głowacka & Katarzyna Karłowicz-Bodalska & Anna Wiela-Hojeńska, 2022. "Contrast Media Adverse Drug Reactions in Highly Polluted Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-13, June.
    19. Angelica Tiotiu & Iulia Ioan & Nathalie Wirth & Rodrigo Romero-Fernandez & Francisco-Javier González-Barcala, 2021. "The Impact of Tobacco Smoking on Adult Asthma Outcomes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-12, January.
    20. Hicham Ajami & Hamid Mcheick & Catherine Laprise, 2022. "First Steps of Asthma Management with a Personalized Ontology Model," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-13, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:5:p:553-:d:1384095. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.