INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON THE HEALTH: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

University student enrollments have recently increased in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, with the growing number of students and low land space in the university, planners try to develop a very tight buildings as residential buildings. Modern students spent more than 90% of their time indoors. It may have affected the health of the students. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the association between indoor environment quality in university hostels and respiratory health problems. The questionnaire survey was conducted in May 2020, and Rajarata University students from the second year to fourth years were selected to find the association. a stratified random sample method was applied. Data were calculated using percentage values and nonparametric statistical analysis such as significance testing and Spearman’s correlation. 2234 students voluntarily completed the questionnaire. Among them, females were 71.2 %, and male percentages were 28.80 %. 25.00 % (± 0.91%, z = 1.96) of students reported wheezing in the chest at any time in the past. 7.90 % (± 0.57%, z = 1.96) of students living in the hostel were reported doctor-diagnosed asthma. Students were also written about 36.00 % (± 1.01 %, z = 1.96) for sneezing and a runny nose. Indoor environmental factors such as the number of students in the room and occupied low student space were strongly associated with University student’s health in the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (p < 0.1). Therefore, policymakers need to pay more attention to the indoor environmental quality of the university dormitories.