Scientific objectives and research project

Children are particularly vulnerables to the effects of air pollution in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), and also the most impacted by air pollution exposure because their lungs and immune system is still developing and cannot withstand potent air pollutants. Most epidemiological studies investigating the association of air pollution exposure (APE) with respiratory health outcome have been conducted in developed nations where exposure concentrations are usually very low or among school children who are not faced with the several competing risk found in LMIC settings. This study thus provide a great opportunity to examine the relationship between APE and respiratory illnesses in Ghana using a cohort study design that allows temporality and exposure-response relations to be established. The study population will provide an opportunity to elucidate the immune response to geographic specific pollutants and will further allow us to define specific alert (exposure) thresholds for this vulnerable group to help develop strategies to mitigate APE.

IRD units involved

2R26100 : MERIT

Member Institutions

: Université Paris Cité

IRD : Institut de recherche pour le développement

UCC : University of Cape Coast

Bearer JEAI

M. x M. x M. x

Research topics

Air Pollution ; Children ; Asthma ; Allergic Rhinitis ; Acute Respiratory Infections