Association between ambient air pollution and respiratory health in Kampala, Uganda: Implications for policy and practice

Ambient air pollution and weather have an impact on respiratory diseases. This study analysed effects of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) on monthly respiratory-related healthcare facility visits and admissions (herein referred to as events) in Kampala, whilst considering meteorological factors.

Monthly healthcare facility events for neonatal pneumonia, asthma, pneumonia and COPD between 2019 and 2020 were retrospectively extracted from the District Health Information Software 2. PM_2.5 and meteorological data were obtained from 45 monitoring stations and 5 weather stations in Kampala. Associations between air pollution and healthcare facility events were examined using generalised additive models (GAM) adjusted for rainfall, temperature and humidity.

Multivariate analysis showed positive association between monthly PM_2.5 with healthcare facility visits due to asthma (incident rate ratio-IRR = 1.007, 95 % CI: 1.002–1.013; p < 0.05) and admissions due to pneumonia (IRR = 1.007, 95 % CI: 1.001–1.013; p < 05). Healthcare facility events were associated with PM_2.5 (IRR = 1.005; 95 % CI: 1.002–1.009; p < 0.05) and relative humidity (EDF = 1.000; p < 0.05).

PM_2.5 impacted on healthcare facility events in Kampala and association was influenced by meteorological factors. However, lack of data for daily healthcare facility events could have affected accuracy of the impact therefore further analyses are needed. Our characterisation could support facilities in development of early warning tools for air pollution events.