Association of Household Air Pollution with Chronic Respiratory Symptoms and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Study

Muhammad Sohail; Nimra Ghani

doi:10.62497/irabcs.233

Authors

Muhammad Sohail House Officer, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1948-3696
Nimra Ghani Islamic International Medical College Peshawar, Riphah international University, Islamabad, Pakistan Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0555-3474

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62497/irabcs.233

Keywords:

household air pollution, chronic respiratory symptom, HRQoL, biomass fuel, risk factor

Abstract

Background: Household air pollution (HAP) remains a major environmental risk factor contributing to respiratory morbidity and reduced quality of life in low- and middle-income populations.

Objective: To determine the association between HAP, chronic respiratory symptoms, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among adults.

Methodology: This was an analytical cross sectional study carried out from March 2025 to February 2026. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to pick 390 participants from households in urban and peri-urban areas. Sociodemographic, household air pollution, chronic respiratory symptoms and health-related quality of life were explored using a validated instrument through structured interviews with a pre-designed questionnaire. The applied methods were Chi square, independent samples t-test and multivariable regression analyses.

Results: Among 390 participants, 56.15% (219) were exposed to high HAP while 43.85% (171) had low exposure. Chronic respiratory symptoms were significantly more frequent in the high-exposure group, including chronic cough (40.18% vs 16.96%), dyspnea (49.32% vs 21.64%), wheezing (31.51% vs 12.28%), sputum production (33.33% vs 13.45%), and recurrent respiratory infections (30.14% vs 14.62%) (all p<0.05). Mean overall HRQoL scores were significantly lower in high-exposure participants (62.08 ± 9.33) compared to low-exposure participants (70.38 ± 8.41; p<0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that high HAP was independently associated with chronic respiratory symptoms (AOR=3.18, 95% CI: 2.01–5.02) and reduced HRQoL (β = −6.92, p<0.001).

Conclusion: HAP is significantly associated with increased respiratory symptoms and reduced HRQoL among adults.

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