Respiratory Symptoms in Relation to Home Air Conditioning among Office Workers in Malé, Maldives

Abstract

This was a cross-sectional study aimed to find out the associations of home air conditioning (home AC) with respiratory symptom and illness prevalence among adults residing in Malé, Maldives. Data were collected during March 2010 using a self administered questionnaire at participants’ offices. Out of the 498 questionnaires distributed 353 questionnaires were returned, resulting in a 70.9% response rate. Symptom and illness prevalences were the outcome variables in this study (total 11 outcomes). In multiple logistic regression models, prevalences of cough, phlegm, and doctor-diagnosed sinus trouble were positively associated with presence of home AC. Respectively, these associations were statistically significant (p=0.030), marginally significant p=0.054), and non- significant (p=0.292). The other 8 types of prevalence were not appreciably associated with presence of home AC. Home dampness was a stronger respiratory risk factor than was home AC. Further research is needed to characterize risks of home AC in Malé and elsewhere, and to describe biological mechanisms through which home AC exerts respiratory risk.