Indoor pollution and its effect on the pregnancy outcome in cluster and non cluster areas

ABSTRACT

Indoor pollution is one of the causes of death and disease in the world's poorest countries. Indoor pollution remains a silent and unreported killer, women and children are the most at risk. Smoke rising from stoves and fires inside homes is associated with million deaths per year in developing countries. Indoor air pollution is caused by poor water/ sanitation/ hygiene/ ventilation/ housing conditions. This study was aiming to evaluate the effect of indoor pollution on the pregnancy outcome in cluster and non cluster areas. The study aim was achieved through assessing the pregnant women socio-demographic characteristics, Assessing indoor environment and assessing the pregnant women [pre and postnatal] as well as the newborn. The study was conducted at Ain shames maternity university hospital the MCH Center at EL Dowika Maternal and Child Health Center, Manshiat Naser Maternal and Child Health Center [cluster areas] and El Daher Maternal and Child health Center [non cluster area] and at homes through home visits, started in November 2006 and was completed by Feb. 2008 study design: a descriptive comparative study, Sample type a purposeful sampling. The selected sample included 200 pregnant women in the 3rd trimester, 100 in each group,. The study revealed an increased level of exposure to indoor pollution, increased level of CO and blood lead of the pregnant women in the cluster area more than the non cluster area. Increased complications during pregnancy, labor and increased adverse newborn outcomes as prematurity, stillbirth, SIDS, congenital malformation were more frequent in cluster areas than non- cluster areas. There were correlations between exposure to indoor pollution and adverse effect on women and newborn outcomes in both cluster and non cluster areas. The study recommended educational programs for the pregnancy women in MCH centers about indoor pollution and its effect on health