ABSTRACT

The World Bank study estimated health damage due to all sources of air pollution in Jakarta at approximately $300 million per year in 1990, and this was projected to increase tenfold by 2010 unless serious control efforts were implemented. The lack of evidences from epidemiological studies, concerning dust air pollution to children’s health effects in Jakarta, is believed as a potential reason that may affects to the lack of awareness and willingness of public policy decision makers to develop appropriate strategy for preventing Jakarta population from the hazards of air pollution. The poster will present results of a study to assess the risk of air pollution to the respiratory illnesses of elementary school children in Jakarta city in 2004. A Prospective cohort design is implemented. The study population was the 3rd and 4th grader children (7 children each) who attend 12 elementary schools in high polluted area and 13 elementary schools in low polluted area in Jakarta. The total of 350 children is selected as the samples. A list of respiratory symptoms sheet was given to the class school teacher for collecting the data daily for three months period. Survival time of having sore throat was longer among children living in low polluted area. Incidence rate of sore throat was higher among children who living in high polluted area. However, the differences found no statistically significant. In contrast, survival time of having cough was longer among children living in high polluted area. Incidence rate of cough was higher among children who living in low polluted area. The differences were statistically significant with hazard ratio of 1.8. Survival time of having phlegm was longer among children living in low polluted area. Incidence rate of phlegm was higher among children who living in low polluted area. Survival time of having nausea was longer among children living in low polluted area. Incidence rate of nausea was higher among children who living in high polluted area. However, the differences found no statistically significant. Respiratory diseases among elementary school children caused by air pollution both in high polluted area and low polluted area in Jakarta are no difference. There is no any safe place for children living in Jakarta from the risk to have respiratory diseases.