An Assessment of the Impact of Poor Indoor Air Quality on Public Health in Nigerian Urban Environments; Case Study of FCT, Abuja

Poor indoor air quality (P-IAQ) poses significant challenges to public health, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic development, particularly in urban areas of developing countries. This issue aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and intersects with other SDGs. Despite the urgency of the problem, research exploring the interplay between urban air pollution, PIAQ, and health outcomes in healthcare settings remains limited. This study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) of peer-reviewed articles published between 2020 and 2024 across major databases, including PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. It examines the impacts of P-IAQ on health outcomes in urban healthcare facilities in Nigeria, focusing on indoor environmental quality (IEQ) factors such as ventilation, thermal comfort, and air quality. The review identifies that improved indoor air quality significantly enhances patient recovery rates, reduces stress, shortens hospital stays, and boosts the performance of healthcare staff. The study further explores the disparities in health outcomes between purpose-built and retrofitted healthcare facilities, highlighting the combined effects of urban air pollution and IAQ dynamics. Based on these findings, an evidence-informed conceptual framework is proposed, integrating urban air pollution sources, IAQ determinants, and health outcomes. The framework also outlines actionable mitigation strategies, emphasizing the role of building design and urban policies in enhancing IAQ standards in healthcare facilities. The insights from this research provide a critical foundation for advancing sustainable building practices and informed policymaking aimed at mitigating P-IAQ and improving health outcomes in urban environments.