Perceptions, Knowledge, and Practices Concerning Indoor Environmental Pollution of Parents or Future Parents

Abstract

Indoor pollutants can have short- and long-term health effects, especially if exposure occurs during prenatal life or early childhood. This study describe the perceptions, knowledge, and practices of adults concerning indoor environmental pollution. Adults of 18 to 45 years of age were recruited in the department of Ille-et-Vilaine (Brittany-France) in 2019 through a stratified random draw in the waiting rooms of general practitioners (GPs) (n = 554) who completed a self-questionnaire. The 71% who had already heard of this type of pollution were older (p = 0.001), predominantly women (p = 0.007), not expecting a baby (p = 0.005), and had a higher knowledge score (p < 0.001). The average knowledge score was 6.6 ± 6.6 out of 11, which was higher for participants living in a couple and with a higher level of education (p < 0.001). Some practices were well implemented (>80% of participants) (aeration during renovation) whereas others were insufficiently practiced (<60% of participants) (paying attention to the composition of cosmetic products). Factors associated differed depending on the frequency of integration: living in a couple and having a child for well implemented practices and educational level, knowledge level, and perception for those under implemented. Knowledge must be improved to modify perceptions and certain practices, making sure not to increase social inequalities in health.

Determinants Analysis Regarding Household Chemical Indoor Pollution

“…Furthermore, with a mean score of 69.19%, the population showed a good knowledge regarding household chemical pollution. Similar results were evidenced in 2020 in France by Daniel et al, where a population of 554 adults totalized a mean score of 68.19% [ 26 ]. However, other studies revealed lower levels of knowledge, as evidenced in 2020 by Muro et al in a study conducted in Nairobi County over a sample of 393 subjects, which indicated a low knowledge level on indoor air pollution with an average score of 38.5% and, previously, by Al-Khamees in 2018, in Kuwait, which demonstrated that the respondents had a low knowledge level on indoor air pollution at 41.47% [ 27 , 35 ].…”

“…Those scores were slightly higher than Al-Khamees et al, which were 51.0% for men and 53.5% for women [ 27 ]. Also, Daniel et al found out that certain practices were not well followed by less than 60% of participants [ 26 ]. The reason why the results revealed high percentages of some incorrect behaviors rather than others is probably that these are actions performed repeatedly in daily life, and many of them become incorrect habits fueled by poor knowledge and understanding of household air pollution.…”

“…A recent study assessed the dependence of community knowledge and attitude with socio-demographic factors and the dependence of the behaviors with knowledge, attitude, and socio-demographic factors using community KAB towards IAQ, revealing lower levels of knowledge and behaviors towards IAQ and moderate levels of attitude within the study population [ 25 ]. Daniel et al described the perceptions, knowledge, and practices of adults concerning indoor environmental pollution, evidencing that well-integrated practices were not related to knowledge, level of education, or perceptions but rather to the responsibility of having a child and that implementation of less well-followed practices would be improved by better knowledge/information and a change in perceptions [ 26 ]. In 2018, Al-Khamees examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward indoor pollution at Kuwait University, demonstrating poor knowledge regarding indoor pollution among university students and teachers [ 27 ].…”

The effectiveness of personalised versus generic information in changing behaviour: Evidence from an indoor air quality experiment

“…Yet, while almost 90% of residents in the Île-de-France region 2 believe that outdoor air pollution presents a major health risk, less than 50% believe so about indoor air pollution (Menard et al 2008) and overestimate indoor air quality (Langer et al 2017). In fact, households still show limited understanding of the different sources of indoor pollution and underestimate its associated sanitary risks (Grange et al 2012;Daniel et al 2020). For example, although burning incense and candles can release up to 10 times more PM2.5 than a cigarette, 68% of candle users and 58% of incense users stated that this practice has no effect on or even improves indoor air quality (Nicolas et al 2017;Tirler et al 2015;Stabile et al 2012;Andersen et al 2006).…”

“…Bhullar et al (2014) find that higher perception of wood smoke risk is indeed associated with higher support for wood burning regulation in Australia and a higher likelihood of switching to alternative heating. More generally, despite an increased awareness of air pollution, the public still has a limited apprehension of the factors that influence indoor air quality and its effects on health (Boso et al 2018;Daniel et al 2020;Grange et al 2012;Hofflinger et al 2019). Therefore, finding levers to increase awareness of the risks associated with wood burning and other household polluting activities is of key environmental and public health concern.…”