Mine dumps, wheeze, asthma, and rhinoconjunctivitis among adolescents in South Africa: any association?

The study investigated the association between community proximity to mine dumps, and current wheeze, rhinoconjunctivitis, and asthma among adolescents. This study was conducted during May–November 2012 around five mine dumps in South Africa. Communities in close proximity to mine dumps had an increased likelihood of current wheeze OR 1.38 (95 % CI: 1.10–1.71), rhinoconjunctivitis OR 1.54 (95 % CI: 1.29–1.82), and a protective association with asthma OR 0.29 (95 % CI: 0.23–0.35). Factors associated with health outcomes included other indoor and outdoor pollution sources. Wheeze and rhinoconjunctivitis appear to be a public health problem in these communities. The findings of this study serve as a base for further detailed epidemiological studies for communities in close proximity to the mine dumps e.g. a planned birth cohort study.

本研究旨在探讨青少年群体中，社区与矿山排土场（mine dumps）的空间邻近程度，与当前喘息症状、鼻结膜炎及哮喘的关联。本研究于2012年5月至11月期间，在南非的5处矿山排土场周边开展。研究结果显示，与矿山排土场邻近的社区，其居民出现当前喘息症状的比值比（Odds Ratio, OR）为1.38（95%置信区间：1.10~1.71），出现鼻结膜炎的比值比为1.54（95%置信区间：1.29~1.82）；而哮喘则呈现保护性关联，其比值比为0.29（95%置信区间：0.23~0.35）。与上述健康结局相关的影响因素还包括其他室内外污染源。喘息症状与鼻结膜炎在上述社区中已构成一项公共卫生问题。本研究结果可为后续针对矿山排土场周边社区的精细化流行病学研究奠定基础，例如一项已规划的出生队列研究。