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Increased Risk of Hospitalization for Lower Respiratory Tract Illness (LRTI) in the Elderly Living in Communities near a Newly Established Industrial Estate in Central Thailand

Author

Listed:
  • Pirawan Wangupadcha

    (Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen City 40002, Thailand)

  • Steven Ronsmans

    (Center for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Jeroen Vanoirbeek

    (Center for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Yuparat Limmongkon

    (Department of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen City 40002, Thailand)

  • Wipharat Phokee

    (Department of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen City 40002, Thailand)

  • Chananya Jirapornkul

    (Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen City 40002, Thailand)

Abstract

Air pollution and health effects in communities near industrial areas are matters of concern in Thailand. Elevated air pollution concentrations are associated with morbidity and mortality arising from lower respiratory tract illness. In this study, we aimed to assess whether living in a community near a new industrial estate in Central Thailand was associated with an elevated incidence of lower respiratory tract illness (LRTI) among the elderly. We used data on hospital admissions from a primary hospital and sub-district-level health-promoting hospitals in six sub-districts located within a radius of 5 km from the industrial estate, between 1 November 2023 and 31 March 2024, using a cross-sectional study design. There were 1311 elderly individuals living within a radius of 3 km and 1488 between 3 and 5 km. We found a statistically significant increased risk of hospitalization for LRTI in the elderly living within a radius of less than 3 km (odds ratio: 3.43 [95% CI: 1.61–7.36] compared to those living in a radius between 3 and 5 km. Our results provide strong support for an association between hospitalization for LRTI and living distance from a new industrial estate.

Suggested Citation

  • Pirawan Wangupadcha & Steven Ronsmans & Jeroen Vanoirbeek & Yuparat Limmongkon & Wipharat Phokee & Chananya Jirapornkul, 2025. "Increased Risk of Hospitalization for Lower Respiratory Tract Illness (LRTI) in the Elderly Living in Communities near a Newly Established Industrial Estate in Central Thailand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(6), pages 1-12, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:6:p:874-:d:1669521
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