The Impact of Indoor Air Quality on Lung Function of the Orang Asli Residing Near Tasik Chini, Malaysia
Indoor Air Quality & Lung Function of Orang Asli
Abstract
Indoor air quality can influence the respiratory health of people in various locations, including the Orang Asli living in the remote rural area. This study explored the correlations between the indoor air quality factors and lung functions among the Orang Asli population living in Tasik Chini, Pahang, Malaysia. All respondents who fulfilled the inclusion criteria participated in this study. Interview-guided questionnaire and spirometry test were carried out. The study findings showed that most of the Orang Asli respondents had abnormal Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) (69.2%) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) (82.9%). In contrast, 75.8% respondents showed a normal Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and 99.1% respondents had a normal ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second and Forced Vital Capacity (FEV1/FVC) (%). FEV1 (r= 0.178, p=0.010), FVC (r = 0.164, p = 0.017), and PEFR (r = 0.256, p < 0.001) were positively correlated with the type of smoker, while only FVC was positively correlated with the home environment (r = 0.166, p = 0.016). Thus, the health authority should carry out appropriate activities to protect the Orang Asli from the hazards of smoking and other types of indoor air pollutants.
Keywords :
Indoor air quality; lung function; Malaysia; Orang Asli; Tasik Chini,
Abstrak
Kualiti udara dalaman boleh mempengaruhi kesihatan pernafasan penduduk di pelbagai lokasi, termasuklah Orang Asli yang tinggal di kawasan pedalaman. Kajian ini menerokai hubungan antara faktor kualiti udara dalaman dan fungsi paru-paru dalam kalangan populasi Orang Asli yang tinggal di Tasik Chini, Pahang, Malaysia. Semua responden yang memenuhi kriteria kemasukan telah terlibat dalam kajian ini. Soal selidik secara temuduga dan ujian spirometri telah dijalankan. Hasil kajian menunjukkan majoriti responden Orang Asli mempunyai Isipadu Ekspirasi Paksa dalam satu saat (FEV1) (69.2%) dan Kapasiti Vital Paksa (FVC) (82.9%) yang tidak normal. Sebaliknya, 75.8% responden menunjukkan Kadar Aliran Ekspirasi Puncak (PEFR) yang normal dan 99.1% responden mempunyai nisbah Isipadu Ekspirasi Paksa dalam satu saat dan Kapasiti Vital Paksa (FEV1/FVC) (%) yang normal. FEV1 (r= 0.178, p=0.010), FVC (r = 0.164, p = 0.017), dan PEFR (r = 0.256, p < 0.001) mempunyai hubungan yang positif dengan jenis perokok, manakala hanya FVC mempunyai hubungan yang positif dengan persekitaran rumah (r = 0.166, p = 0.016). Oleh itu, pihak berkuasa kesihatan harus melaksanakan aktiviti yang sesuai untuk melindungi Orang Asli daripada bahaya merokok dan pencemar udara dalaman yang lain.
Kata Kunci :
Fungsi paru-paru; kualiti udara dalaman; Malaysia; Orang Asli; Tasik Chini,
Correspondance Address
Zaleha Md Isa. Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel: +603-91458796 Email: zms@hctm.ukm.edu.my
