Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) among parents of preschool children in relation to home environment in Chongqing, China

Abstract

Background: There are few studies on sick building syndrome (SBS) in China. Aims: To study association between SBS in Chongqing adults, with preschool children, and home environmental factors. Methods: The present study is part of a large Chinese multicenter study (China, Children, Homes, Health, CCHH). Parents of 3-6 years old children from randomly selected kindergartens in Chongqing, China returned completed questionnaires (one/child) between December 2010 and April 2011 (response rate 74.5%). There were questions on parents’ SBS in the last 3 months (12 questions, categorized to general symptoms, mucosal symptoms and skin symptoms) (every week; sometimes; never). The association between parents’ SBS symptoms and home environment were analysed by multiple logistic regression, controlling for gender and a history of asthma, allergic rhinitis or eczema. Results: The prevalence of SBS (every weekcompared with never) among 4950 participants were: 11.4% for general symptoms, 7.1% for mucosal symptoms and 4.4% for skin symptoms. Living near a main road or highway was a strong risk factor for general symptoms (adjusted odds ratio, aOR=2.16, P<0.001), skin symptoms (aOR=2.69, P<0.001), and mucosal symptoms (aOR=1.63, P<0.01). Redecoration was a risk factor for general symptoms (aOR=2.00, P<0.001), skin symptoms (aOR=1.66, P<0.01), and mucosal symptoms (aOR=1.66, P<0.05). New furniture was a risk factor for general symptoms (aOR=2.16, P<0.001) and skin symptoms (aOR=1.67, P<0.01). Dampness related problems (mould spot, damp stain, water damage and condensation) were all risk factors for SBS (aOR ranged from 1.68 to 3.98), as was the presence of cockroaches, rats, mosquitoes/flies and use of incense. Protective factors included cleaning the child’s bedroom every day and frequently exposing bedding to sunshine. Conclusions: Parents’ SBS were related to factors of the home environment.