Knowledge and perceptions of air pollution in Ningbo, China.
The residents' knowledge, attitudes and practices related to ambient air pollution and health will help to improve the understanding of environmental protection and make environmental health policies more targeted and effective. This study aimed at knowing the attitudes and behaviors towards ambient air pollution and health.



A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Ningbo, China in January 2015. Personal information and questions pertaining to the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards ambient air pollution and health were collected through questionnaire investigations. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and multiple unconditional logistic regression analysis were used.



The questionnaire was completed by 1604 respondents (59.41 % women). The awareness rate was 64.59 % and varied significantly with age, levels of education, and occupation (all p < 0.05). Only 5.80 % of the total participants were satisfied with the air quality in Ningbo in 2014. Most respondents (78.80 %) expressed concern about the possible aggravation of the haze. More than 80 % of participants believed that it will take at least 3-5 years or longer before the air quality is improved. Television and internet resources have replaced books and newspapers as the primary sources for obtaining knowledge about haze and related protective measures. 85.22 % of respondents were concerned about air quality index (AQI). Most of the residents have taken protective measures indoors during haze weather. 48.50 % have worn face masks when going outside, the most frequently type of face masks selected were cotton (39.85 %) or gauze face masks (36.24 %). Age and occupation were the main factors associated with the level of knowledge about air pollution (p < 0.05).



There were a relatively high knowledge awareness rate, strong health protection consciousness and high enthusiasm for air pollution control among Ningbo residents. The elderly people and less-educated residents are the targetable population for improving environment.
Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, 315010, China.|School of Public Health, Soochow University, #199, Renai Road, Industrial Park District, Suzhou, 215123, China.
Xujun
X
Qian
Ningbo Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #237, Yongfeng Road, Haishu District, Ningbo, 315010, China.
Guozhang
G
Xu
Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, 315010, China.
Li
L
Li
School of Public Health, Soochow University, #199, Renai Road, Industrial Park District, Suzhou, 215123, China. shengyuepingsz@126.com.
Yueping
Y
Shen
Ningbo Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #237, Yongfeng Road, Haishu District, Ningbo, 315010, China. tfhe0@sohu.com.
Tianfeng
T
He
Department of Epidemiology, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China.
Yajun
Y
Liang
Division of Epidemiology, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
Zuyao
Z
Yang
Department of public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Wan Wei
WW
Zhou
Department of public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Jiaying
J
Xu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000397:Air Pollution; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002681:China; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000379:methods; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D058735:Environmental Policy; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
Haze/ambient air pollution; Health; Knowledge attitudes and practices