ndoor Air Quality, Cell Features and Lifestyle Characteristics: Implications on the Prevalence of Some Respiratory Tract Diseases and Symptoms among Inmates of Enugu Prison, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed indoor air quality, cell features of Enugu prison and lifestyle characteristics of inmates to ascertain their possible contributions to the prevalence of some respiratory diseases and symptoms among the inmates. The prison cells recorded poor indoor air quality. Cells with 4 windows had highest concentration of the indoor air pollutants [formaldehyde (0.20±0.07 mg/m3), total volatile organic compounds (0.79±0.37 mg/m3), and particulate matter, PM1 (71.03±41.09 μg/m3), PM2.5 (89.00±49.66 μg/m3) and PM10 (107.40±61.86 μg/m3)], as well as highest incidence of the symptoms/infections [cough (62.5%), wheeze (37.5%), chest pain (41.7%), pneumonia (25.0%) and bronchitis (33.3%)] than the cells with < 4 windows and > 4 windows. All smokers had symptoms of respiratory tract infections. Cell features and lifestyle characteristics were contributing factors in the air pollution and the prevalence of some respiratory tract diseases/symptoms. The findings can be useful in non-medical intervention towards proper management of the inmates’