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Title: | THE HEALTH IMPACTS OF DAMP HOUSING CONDITIONS: LESSONS FOR INHABITANTS LIVING IN DAMP TROPICAL BUILDINGS |
Authors: | Agyekum, K. Salgin, B. Danso, A.K. |
Keywords: | Damp Health Ghana Tropical buildings |
Issue Date: | Apr-2017 |
Publisher: | INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA |
Citation: | 6TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA - 12-14 April 2017, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana |
Abstract: | Dampness in buildings is a common problem in
Ghana. A nationwide survey has estimated that
one out of every ten residential buildings suffers
from one form of dampness or the other. The
possibility that damp housing conditions may
affect the health of occupants, and in particular
expose them to respiratory symptoms has been the
attention of many cross-sectional epidemiological
studies worldwide. Building related mould, fungi,
dust mites, etc. associated with dampness have
considerable economic consequences in increased
healthcare costs because of higher disease prevalence,
use of healthcare services and medications. Through
literature survey, this study sought to examine the
impact of damp housing conditions on the health of
occupants, and presents lessons from such studies
to those living in tropical buildings (the case of
Ghana) with similar conditions. The study was
carried out using a two-stage methodology which
included identifying the relevant literature material,
and reviewing the relevant literature. The key lesson
learned from the literature search is the fact that
there are many health issues associated with living
in damp housing conditions. The review clearly
showed that being exposed to damp conditions could
trigger a number of upper and lower respiratory
tract infections, as well as skin diseases. Among
the diseases are asthma, wheeze, allergic rhinitis,
atopic dermatitis, headache, eczema, bronchitis,
cough at night, etc. Public health researchers and practitioners should be prompted on the adverse
health effects of mould, indoor fungi, dust mites
(which are accompanied with dampness) to residents,
and efforts should be made to enlighten the general
public and government bodies on these issues. |
Description: | 6TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA - 12-14 April 2017, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/10945 |
Appears in Collections: | College of Architecture and Planning
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