Indoor environment in Sri Lankan university dormitories: Associations with ocular, nasal, throat and dermal symptoms, headache, and fatigue among students

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of medical symptoms, including headache, fatigue, ocular, nasal, throat, and dermal symptoms, among university students and their associations with the indoor environment of Sri Lankan dormitories. The study included 2234 students from seven different dormitory buildings. The association between dormitory environmental factors and students' medical symptoms was determined using multi-level logistic regression. General symptoms (22.8%) were reported more frequently than other symptoms. Headaches (11.6%) and fatigue (11.3%) were the most common specific individual symptoms. The most frequent dampness-related problems were visible mold (29.6%) and visible damp stains (28.8%). Significant gender differences were observed. Suspected moisture problems were a major risk factor for ocular (AOR: 2.65), fatigue (AOR: 1.83), and throat symptoms (AOR: 2.49). Damp stains were also associated with an increased risk of fatigue (AOR: 1.52), ocular (AOR: 1.72), throat (AOR: 2.26), and dermal symptoms (AOR: 1.61). The mutual adjustment model revealed that any type of dampness, as well as being on a lower floor level of the building, was a significant risk factor for the occurrence of throat, dermal, general, and mucosal symptoms. Residing in older buildings was a protective factor for ocular and nasal symptoms. Infrequent window opening was associated with increased medical symptoms. The findings suggested that the dormitory environment has an effect on students’ health. Opening windows on a regular basis may improve airflow in dormitories. Future dormitory designs should consider large windows in areas with lower levels of outdoor air pollution, and mechanical ventilation systems should be considered.