title: Mine dumps, wheeze, asthma, and rhinoconjunctivitis among adolescents in South Africa: any association?
abstract: The study investigated the association between community proximity to mine dumps, and current wheeze, rhinoconjunctivitis, and asthma among adolescents. This study was conducted during May-November 2012 around five mine dumps in South Africa. Communities in close proximity to mine dumps had an increased likelihood of current wheeze OR 1.38 (95 % CI: 1.10-1.71), rhinoconjunctivitis OR 1.54 (95 % CI: 1.29-1.82), and a protective association with asthma OR 0.29 (95 % CI: 0.23-0.35). Factors associated with health outcomes included other indoor and outdoor pollution sources. Wheeze and rhinoconjunctivitis appear to be a public health problem in these communities. The findings of this study serve as a base for further detailed epidemiological studies for communities in close proximity to the mine dumps e.g. a planned birth cohort study.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Health Systems and Public Health , University of Pretoria , Pretoria , South Africa.
authors.forename: Vusumuzi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nkosi
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Health Systems and Public Health , University of Pretoria , Pretoria , South Africa.
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wichmann
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Health Systems and Public Health , University of Pretoria , Pretoria , South Africa.
authors.forename: Kuku
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Voyi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008906:Mining; D015995:Prevalence; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D064091:Waste Disposal Facilities
chemical_list: D004391:Dust
keywords: South Africa; adolescents; asthma; mine dumps; rhinoconjunctivitis; wheeze