A new multiple regression model to identify multi-family houses with a high prevalence of sick building symptoms "SBS", within the healthy sustainable house study in Stockholm (3H).
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to develop a new model to identify residential buildings with higher frequencies of "SBS" than expected, "risk buildings".


METHODS
In 2005, 481 multi-family buildings with 10,506 dwellings in Stockholm were studied by a new stratified random sampling. A standardised self-administered questionnaire was used to assess "SBS", atopy and personal factors. The response rate was 73%. Statistical analysis was performed by multiple logistic regressions.


RESULTS
Dwellers owning their building reported less "SBS" than those renting. There was a strong relationship between socio-economic factors and ownership. The regression model, ended up with high explanatory values for age, gender, atopy and ownership. Applying our model, 9% of all residential buildings in Stockholm were classified as "risk buildings" with the highest proportion in houses built 1961-1975 (26%) and lowest in houses built 1985-1990 (4%).


CONCLUSIONS
To identify "risk buildings", it is necessary to adjust for ownership and population characteristics.
Engvall
Karin
K
Department of Medical Science, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. karin.engvall@medsci.uu.se
Hult
M
M
Corner
R
R
Lampa
E
E
Norbäck
D
D
Emenius
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018877:Sick Building Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012907:Smoking; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult