title: Respiratory and allergic health effects in a young population in proximity of a major industrial park in Oman.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sohar industrial zone (SIZ), Oman, which started operating in 2006, contains many industries that potentially affect the health of the local population. This study's aim was to evaluate the health effects in a young population living near SIZ.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patient visits to state health clinics for acute respiratory diseases (ARD), asthma, conjunctivitis and dermatitis were obtained for the period of 2006 to 2010, for children ages <20 years old, for two large provinces around SIZ. Three exposure zones were defined on the basis of the distance from SIZ determined as: ≤5, >5 to 10, ≥20 km to represent high, intermediate and control exposure zones, respectively. Age-specific and gender-specific monthly counts of visits were modelled using generalised additive models controlling for time trends. The high and intermediate exposure zones were later combined together due to the similarity of associations. Exposure effect modification by age, gender and socioeconomic status (SES) was also tested.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Living within 10 km from SIZ showed a greater association with ARD (risk ratio (RR)=2.5; 95% CI=2.3 to 2.7), asthma (RR=3.7; 95% CI=3.1 to 4.5), conjunctivitis (RR=3.1; 95% CI=2.9 to 3.5) and dermatitis (RR=2.7; 95% CI=2.5 to 3.0) when compared with the control zone. No differences in associations were found for gender and SES groups; greater effects were noticed in the ≤14-year-old group for asthma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study conducted in Oman to examine the health effects of a young population living near an industrial park. We hope that these findings will contribute in future developments of environmental health policies in Oman.
authors.affiliation: Institute for the Environment, Brunel University London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Adil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alwahaibi
authors.affiliation: Institute for the Environment, Brunel University London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Ariana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zeka
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007221:Industry; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009850:Oman; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants
keywords: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH; Environmental epidemiology; PRIMARY HEALTH CARE; PUBLIC HEALTH; RESPIRATORY DI