Children’s air pollution profiles in Africa (CAPPA) v1.0, 20/02/21

Rylance, Jamie

Children’s air pollution profiles in Africa (CAPPA) v1.0, 20/02/21

Date

2021-06-03

Authors

Rylance, Jamie

Publisher

Kamuzu University of Health Sciences

Abstract

Executive Summary - The type of research study This is a multi-centre observational cohort study about air pollution in African children. The centres included are in Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, South Africa, and Nigeria. - The problem to be studied There is extensive literature on the wide-ranging health impacts of exposure to air pollution on populations. Children are vulnerable due to their developing bodies (Gehring et al., 2013, Gauderman, 2007); evidence shows that children’s lungs exposed to higher levels of air pollution have less volume than those in cleaner areas (Mudway et al., 2019). While personal exposure studies are becoming established in Europe, no such large-scale studies have yet been carried out on the African continent. This study aims to close that gap, providing valuable evidence to help improve the health of Africa’s young population. - The objectives [i] Broad The study aims to describe the burden of personal air pollution exposure (particulate matter <10 and <2.5 microns (PM10/2.5), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)) in urban children with asthma symptoms in sub-Saharan Africa, its geographic, and temporal variability, the role of indoor and outdoor microenvironments and activity profiles, and effect of socioeconomic variables. To assess how personal air pollution exposure affect children with asthma symptoms in urban Sub-Saharan Africa, and the influence of socioeconomic factors on the effects. [ii] Specific 1. To collect personal air pollution exposure data, activity profiles, and lung function measurements from 60 children with asthma symptoms aged between 12 and 14 years, in Blantyre, Malawi. 2. To analyse personal air pollution data for exposure patterns and peak exposures. 2.3., and tTo compare air pollution as well as activity profiles of children in relation to their socioeconomic and geographical backgrounds both within and between countries, and compare with measured data from school-age children in London. 3.4.To explore potentially detrimental effects of air pollution, and feasibility of mitigation strategies in children with asthma symptoms identified by ACACIA. - Methodology From March 2021, we will recruit 60 children who participated in the ACACIA study. The participant will be provided a backpack fitted with air monitoring equipment to carry and keep close to them. Each child’s exposure to NO2 and PM2.5, as well as their GPS-location, temperature and humidity, will be collected at a 1-second intervals for 96 hours, and stored on a microchip within the backpacks’ logging unit. The data analysis procedure will follow that developed for a previous similar study in London – ‘Breathe London Wearables’1. Once monitoring at a site is complete, encrypted data will be uploaded from the backpack sensor units to a secure server where it will be decrypted. The digital CAPPA questionnaire will be filled in by each participant and will provide additional information regarding each participant’s personal exposure. Participants will also measure and record their lung function twice a day using a peak flow meter. - Expected findings and their dissemination This study will increase knowledge on air pollution exposure of young people in Blantyre, Malawi. The study will provide data on exposure to harmful pollutants and the risk to children’s health in this increasingly urbanised region. Links between data on respiratory health of young participants who experience asthma symptoms with air pollution exposure data will be explored and will lead to new insights. A copy of the final report, published papers, and conference abstracts will be submitted to; the College of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee, the College of Medicine Library, the Health Sciences Research Committee, and the University Research and Publication Committee.