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VOL. 10, ISSUE 3 (2025)
Investigating the link between environmental and economic factors and asthma incidence in Malappuram district, Karela
Authors
Shani K, Rajesh Singh
Abstract
Asthma in India has emerged as a significant
public health concern, exacerbated by fast urbanization, industrial pollution,
and social inequalities. Comprehending the intersection of these economic and
environmental aspects is essential for formulating successful treatments and
enhancing quality of life. We examined 250 people's housing, environmental, and
lifestyle differences using mixed methods. Descriptive statistics described key
variables, whereas independent t-tests, chi-square tests, and logistic
regression explored numerical-categorical connections. Results showed that
there are significant socioeconomic differences between rural and urban
regions. The availability of high-quality healthcare is strongly correlated
with housing quality. Access was 2.1 times lower for inhabitants of pucca
houses compared to residents of kutcha homes (χ2 = 15.4, p = 0.0004). The
average PM2.5 level in rural areas was 64 µg/m3, which was 87 µg/m3 lower than
in urban districts (U = 183, p = 0.00002). Wheezing is increased by a factor of
3.8 (95% CI: 2.1-6.9, p < 0.001) according to the results, which also
recommend using biomass fuel. Nearly half of the population suffered from
asthma, with nearly a quarter experiencing severe symptoms. The results showed
that severe cases had 2.8 times higher hospitalization rates (p < 0.001).
Including smoking increases the odds ratio for asthma by 3.1 times (p = 0.039).
Compared to physically active participants, those who sat for long periods of
time each week had 1.8 times more symptoms (p = 0.004). Asthma is more common
in rural areas due to systemic inequalities in socioeconomic status,
environmental hazards, and lifestyle characteristics. Using clinical data like
spirometry and long-term studies with large rural populations might lead to
further exploration and deep understanding of asthma's causes and prevention
measures.
Pages:30-36
How to cite this article:
Shani K, Rajesh Singh "Investigating the link between environmental and economic factors and asthma incidence in Malappuram district, Karela". International Journal of Biology Research, Vol 10, Issue 3, 2025, Pages 30-36
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