Abstract:
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different types of air and noise pollution on human health. A simple random sample of 331 individuals, Brick Kiln workers (BK cohort) from the rural areas around Peshawar city and residents exposed to traffic air pollution (TR cohort) from the rural area of Peshawar city, through multi-stage sampling technique, was invited to participate in the study. The two cohorts were administered a questionnaire to elicit information on demographics, health histories, followed by clinical examination and investigations. The data of 223 individuals aged 20 years and above, including 33 females and 190 males, was analyzed for the prevalence of hypertension, defined either having Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) of 140 mmHg or more or/and Diastolic Blood Pressure(DBP) of 90mm Hg or more. In the BK cohort there were 7/112 (6.25%) individuals suffering from hypertension among them 5/96(5.2%) were males aged 41 years and above (Group 2) and 2/16 (12.5) were female. There were no hypertensives in the age group 40 years and below (Group 1) in the BK cohort. In the TR cohort there were 19/111 (17%) individuals suffering from hypertension among them 12/94 (12.7%) were male and 7/17 (41.2%) were Group 1 female. In the TR cohort, there were 3/56 (5.4%) hypertensives while in Group 2, there were 16/55 (29%) hypertensive subjects. We conclude that the prevalence of hypertension is higher in the TR cohort in all age groups compared to the BK cohort. The difference could be due to the difference in the level of noise pollution, geographic location and life style.
Page(s):
92-96
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Journal of Medical Science, Volume: 11, Issue: 2, Year: 2003