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Otolith shape analyses and dimensions of the anchovy engraulis encrasicolus l. In the black and marmara seas

Melek Zeng?n, Semra Sayg?n, Nazm? Polat

Sains Malaysiana, 2015;44:657-662.

Otoliths, which can be used for the evaluation of relationships between the environment and organisms, are structures
consisting of calcium carbonate. The aim of this study was to realize the shape analysis. In addition, it is to detect the
characteristics of otolith biometrics in order to determine the relationship between the fish size of Engraulis encrasicolus
L. from the Black and Marmara Seas. The samples were obtained from the Black and Marmara Seas between December
2013 and February 2014. The relationships between the TL (Total length) and OL (Otolith length), TL and OB (Otolith
breadth), and TL and OW (Otolith weight) were determined using the linear regression equation. Form factor, roundness,
circularity and rectangularity were used for shape analyses. According to the data, there was no difference between
localities (p>0.05). Moreover, there was no difference between the left and right otoliths of the individuals sampled from
the same locality (p>0.05). According to the regression coefficient for relationships of TL-OL, TL-OB and TL-OW, otolith
length was identified as the best index for estimating fish length (r
2
>0.70). It showed that index values were statistically
different between two populations (p<0.001).

Matched MeSH terms: Environment
Physicochemical parameters of Bakun reservoir in Belaga, Sarawak, Malaysia, 13 months after reaching full supply level

Ling Ty, Lee Nyanti, Theresa Muan, Jongkar Grinang, Siong-fong Sim, Aazani Mujahid

Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:157-166.

Determining the water quality of Bakun Reservoir 13 months after it operates at full supply level is crucial for better understanding of changes in the physicochemical parameters, which may enable the prediction of its effects on the survival of aquatic life in the reservoir. This study determined 13 physicochemical parameters at six stations within the reservoir at fixed depths. The results showed that the minimum 5 mg/L of dissolved oxygen (DO) required for sensitive aquatic organisms was recorded at 6 m depth. However, DO was not detectable at depths exceeding 7 m. The water was acidic at depths of more than 10 m. Turbidity and total suspended solids increased corresponding with depth. Inorganic nitrogen were predominantly in the form of ammonia-nitrogen, creating an unhealthy environment for aquatic life. Concentration of Chl-a was significantly higher at the subsurface water than 30 m depth in four out of six stations. The present study shows changes in water quality as compared to the pre-impounded period and 15 months after the filling phase, in particular, stratification of dissolved oxygen, thermocline conditions and alkalinity. The changes varied according to the distance from the dam and may have been influenced by existing land developments within the area such as the construction of the Murum Hydroelectric Dam, oil palm plantations and timber concessionares. Though the water quality might have deteriorated, further study is needed to determine if this condition will prolong.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment
Screening and production of Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) by bacterial strains isolated from Rhizosphere soil of groundnut plants

Haliru Musa, Bolanle BB, Farizul Hafiz Kasim, Arbain D

Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:1469-1476.

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) otherwise known as bioplastics are biodegradable materials that are accumulated in various microorganisms to serve as carbon and energy reservoirs and regarded as an attractive alternative to petroleum-derived plastics. Although research has been conducted on isolation of PHB-producing microorganisms from different ecological environments, few studies have been carried out on isolation of potential PHB-producing microorganisms from rhizosphere environment of groundnut plants, Arachis hypogaea which can be regarded as a good environment for the isolation of potential PHB-producing microorganisms. In the present study, a total of twenty-one (21) bacterial strains were primarily screened and isolated from rhizosphere soil of a groundnut plant. Four bacterial isolates with maximum PHB-producing potential upon screening using submerged fermentation were selected for further studies. The fermentation pattern of PHB production was studied using different nutrient sources. The influence of agitation on PHB production was also studied. Mannitol stimulated maximum (6.076a mg/mL) PHB production by Bacillus sp. 1; KNO3 used as a limiting nutrient induced best (5.728a mg/mL) PHB production by Citrobacter sp. and MgSO4.7H2O supported maximum (5.972a mg/mL) PHB production in Enterococcus sp. A low agitation speed of 150 rpm was found to support best (5.802a mg/mL) PHB production by Bacillus sp.1. Findings from this study indicated that the isolated bacterial strains have high PHB- producing potential. The need to explore other environment harbouring microbial strains with high PHB-producing potential is paramount to the discovery of bioplastics with improved properties for potential industrial applications.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment
Phytotoxicity assessment of nano-ZnO on groundnut (arachis hypogaea) seed germination in MS medium

Ehsan Borzouyan Dastjerdi, Ismail Sahid, Khairiah Jusoh

Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:1183-1190.

Due to the increasing production and use of nanoparticles in various sectors such as electronic industries and healthcare,
concerns about the unknown effects caused by the presence of these materials in the natural environment and agricultural
systems were on the rise. Because of the growing trend of ZnO nanoparticles (nZnO) which is one of the most widely
used nanoparticles being released into the environment, it has attracted the attention for more studies to be done on
the effects of this nanoparticle on organisms. This study was carried out to investigate the phytotoxicity effect of nZnO
on groundnut seedlings in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. The experimental treatments of this study include eight
concentrations of nZnO (10, 30, 50, 100, 200, 400, 1000 & 2000 mg.L-1) added to MS medium and MS medium without
nanoparticles have been used as control treatment. For the first 6 days after sowing, germination percent and germination
rate index were calculated by counting the germinated seeds every day. Groundnut seedlings were incubated for 3 weeks
in optimum condition and after that, seedling characteristics such as length, wet and dry weight of radicle and plumule
were measured. The water content of radicle and plumule were also calculated. The results of this study showed that
radicle and plumule length of groundnut seedlings were affected by nZnO exposure, in a way that length of radicles in 50
mg.L-1 nZnO and higher concentrations was significantly lower than that of control treatment and the shortest plumule
length was observed in 2000 mg.L-1 nZnO concentration treatment. Both the radicle and plumule wet weight were also
decreased as the nanoparticle concentration was increased. However, despite the decreasing in radicle and plumule dry
weight with increasing in nZnO concentration, this increase was not significant. However radicle dry weight in 10 mg.L-1
nZnO was significantly higher than nZnOtreatments with 200 mg.L-1 concentration and higher concentrations. Moreover,
observations of this study did not show any significant difference between the water content of nZnO concentration
treatments and control treatment.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment
The potential use of oil palm frond mulch treated with imazethapyr for weed control in Malaysian coconut plantation

Masilaman D, Mazira Che Mat, Chuah TS

Sains Malaysiana, 2017;46:1171-1182.

ntroduction of new weed management strategy for coconut plantation in Malaysia is essential since the current weed control methods are less effective and highly herbicide dependent, thus leading to development of herbicide resistance in weeds as well as environmental and human health concerns. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the phytotoxic effects of oil palm frond mulch treated with imazethapyr at a reduced rate on weed emergence and growth. The results of glasshouse experiments have shown that imazethapyr at 12 g a.i. ha-1 in combination with oil palm residues of leaflet (OPL), rachis (OPR) or frond (OPF) at rates of 1.4-1.8 t ha-1 inhibited Eleusine indica emergence and growth by 90-100%, implying that imazethapyr is compatible with oil palm residue mulches. In the field experiment, hand weeding followed by OPF at 3.4 t ha-1 treated with imazethapyr at 24 g a.i. ha-1 have demonstrated excellent control of Mikania micrantha, Asystasia gangetica, Phyllanthus amarus, Panicum sp. and Echinochloa colona by reducing their total dry weight up to 95% at three months after treatment. The present results suggested that the integration of chemical, physical and mechanical methods can provide effective weed control in the coconut plantation for months.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment
California bearing ratio tests of enzyme-treated sedimentary residual soil show no improvement

Tanveer Ahmed Khan, Mohd Raihan Taha, Ali Asghar Firoozi, Ali Akbar Firoozi

Sains Malaysiana, 2017;46:1269-1267.

Environmental concerns have significantly influenced the construction industry regarding the identification and use of environmentally sustainable construction materials. In this context, enzymes (organic materials) have been introduced recently for ground improvement projects such as pavements and embankments. The present experimental study was carried out in order to evaluate the compressive strength of a sedimentary residual soil treated with three different types of enzymes, as assessed through a California bearing ratio (CBR) test. Controlled untreated and treated soil samples containing four dosages (the recommended dose and two, five and 10 times the recommended dose) were prepared, sealed and cured for four months. Following the curing period, samples were soaked in water for four days before the CBR tests were administered. These tests showed no improvement in the soil is compressive strength; in other words, samples prepared even at higher dosages did not exhibit any improvement. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy tests were carried out on three enzymes in order to study the functional groups present in them. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) tests were executed for untreated and treated soil samples to determine if any chemical reaction took place between the soil and the enzymes. Neither of the tests (XRD nor FESEM) revealed any change. In fact, the XRD patterns and FESEM images for untreated and treated soil samples were indistinguishable.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment
The evaluation of spatial variation of water quality in Sungai Setiu Basin, Terengganu

Izyan Munirah M. Zaideen, Suhaimi Suratman, Norhayati Mohd Tahir

Sains Malaysiana, 2017;46:1513-1520.

This study investigates the spatial variation of water quality parameters in Sungai Setiu Basin at ten different locations from March 2010 to February 2011. The water quality was assessed using the Water Quality Index by Malaysian Department of Environment (DOE-WQI) and classified according to the Malaysia Interim National Water Quality Standard (INWQS). Six water quality parameters embedded in the DOE-WQI were dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, ammoniacal nitrogen (AN) and total suspended solid (TSS). In addition, this study also examined the changes in water quality over the past 10 years by comparing the present water quality to the previous works. The overall mean WQI value obtained was 84.0 which indicate that the Sungai Setiu basin is in clean condition and all measured water quality parameters gave value within the permissible limits of the INWQS classification except for pH which fall in Class III. It can be concluded that water quality in Sungai Setiu does not varies greatly over a decade. Hence continuous monitoring is needed to improve the water quality and minimize water pollution.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment
Integrated palm oil mill effluent treatment and co2 sequestration by microalgae

Nur Anira Syafiqah Hazman, Hassimi Abu Hasan, Kamrul Fakir Kamarudin, Nazlina Haiza Mohd Yasin, Mohd Sobri Takriff, Noor Irma Nazashida Mohd Hakimi

Sains Malaysiana, 2018;47:1455-1464.

Malaysian economy relies on palm oil industries as a driver for rural development. However, palm oil mill effluent
(POME) that is generated from palm oil processing stages causes major environmental challenges. Before being
released to the environment, POME treatment is crucial to comply with standard discharge limit. Microalgae have
demonstrated excellent potential for phycoremediating POME and capturing CO2
. In this study, local microalgae isolate
such as Chlamydomonas sp. UKM 6 and Chlorella spp. UKM 8 were used for POME treatment in 21 days with different
inoculum sizes (5%, 10% and 15%). In addition, an integrated treatment process was performed by taking the treated
POME supernatant for cultivation of Chorella spp. UKM 2, Chorella sorokiniana UKM 3 and Chlorella vulgaris for CO2
sequestration study. Different CO2
concentrations (5%, 10% and 15%) were used and the experiments were carried
out in 10 days under continuous illumination. The results showed that among two species involves in POME treatment,
Chlamydomonas sp. UKM 6 showed a great potential to remove pollutant such as COD (56%), nitrogen (65%) and
phosphorus (34%). The biomass after POME treatment and CO2
biofixation content high lipid (90 mg lipid/g biomass)
which can be the potential source for biodiesel production. In CO2
sequestration study, C. sorokininana UKM3 able
to takes up to 15% CO2
with CO2
uptake rate of 273 mgL-1d-1. In this study, the integrated system of POME treatment
and CO2
sequestration were feasible using microalgae.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment
Multimedia environmental fate and transport model of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT): case study sayong river watershed, Johor, Malaysia

Ghani Z, Anuar A, Majid Z, Yoneda M

Sains Malaysiana, 2017;46:2383-2392.

This study describes the development of a multimedia environmental fate and transport model of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) at Sungai Sayong watershed. Based on the latest estimated DDT emission, the DDT concentrations in air, soil, water and sediment as well as the transfer processes were simulated under the equilibrium and steady-state assumption. Model predictions suggested that soil and sediment was the dominant sink of DDT. The results showed that the model predicted was generally good agreement with field data. Compared with degradation reaction, advection outflow was more important processes occurred in the model. Sensitivities of the model estimates to input parameters were tested. The result showed that vapour pressure (Ps) and organic carbon water partition coefficient (KOC) were the most influential parameters for the model output. The model output-concentrations of DDT in multimedia environment is very important as it can be used in future for human exposure and risk assessment of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) at Sungai Sayong Basin.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment
Isolation and identification of metabolites from the gram-negative proteobacteria of burkholderia cenocepacia and serratia marcescens

Chan Kg, Yap Ac, Choo Ym

Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:1073-1077.

Burkholderia cenocepacia and Serratia marcescens are Gram-negative proteobacteria commonly found in the natural
environment and are also opportunistic pathogens that caused a number of human diseases. The fermentation culture of
Burkholderia cenocepacia yielded three compounds, 4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-phenol (1), Maculosin (2) and methyl myristate
(3). Compound 2 was also isolated together with cyclo(L-Leu-L-Pro) (4) from Serratia marcescens. Compound 1 was
isolated from a natural source for the first time and the first isolation of compounds 2-4 was also reported from both
Burkholderia cenocepacia and Serratia marcescens.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment
The use of worldview-2 satellite data in urban tree species mapping by object-based image analysis technique

Razieh Shojanoori, Helmi Z.m. Shafri, Shattri Mansor, Mohd Hasmadi Ismail

Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:1025-1034.

The growth of residential and commercial areas threatens vegetation and ecosystems. Thus, an urgent urban management
issue involves determining the state and the quantity of urban tree species to protect the environment, as well as controlling
their growth and decline. This study focused on the detection of urban tree species by considering three types of tree
species, namely, Mesua ferrea L., Samanea saman, and Casuarina sumatrana. New rule sets were developed to detect these
three species. In this regard, two pixel-based classification methods were applied and compared; namely, the method of
maximum likelihood classification and support vector machines. These methods were then compared with object-based
image analysis (OBIA) classification. OBIA was used to develop rule sets by extracting spatial, spectral, textural and color
attributes, among others. Finally, the new rule sets were implemented into WorldView-2 imagery. The results indicated
that the OBIA based on the rule sets displayed a significant potential to detect different tree species with high accuracy.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment
Leaching and freeze-thaw events contribute to litter decomposition - a review

Jiang L, Yue K, Yang Y, Wu Q

Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:1041-1047.

Litter decomposition is vital for carbon and nutrient turnover in terrestrial ecosystems, and this process has now
been thoroughly demonstrated to be regulated by various mechanisms. The total environment has been continuously
changing in recent decades, especially in high-latitude regions; these alterations, however, profoundly contribute to the
decomposition process, but a comprehensive recognition has not available. Here we reviewed the empirical observations
and current knowledge regarding how hydrological leaching and freeze-thaw events modulate early decomposition of
plant litter. Leaching contributes a considerable percentage of mass loss and carbon and nutrient release in early stage of
decomposition, but the magnitudes are different between species levels depending on the chemical traits. Frequent freezing
and thawing events could positively influence decomposition rate in cold biomes but also hamper soil decomposer and
there is no general and predictable pattern has been emerged. Further experiments should be manipulated to estimate
how the altered freezing and thawing effect on carbon and nutrient release from plant litter to better understanding the
changing environment on litter decomposition.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment
Compressibility characteristics of compacted clay treated with cement, peat ash and silica sand

Mousavi S, Leong SW

Sains Malaysiana, 2017;46:97-106.

This paper investigates the compressibility characteristics of compacted clay treated with cement, peat ash and silica
sand. For this purpose, one dimensional consolidation tests were conducted to determine the soil consolidation properties.
The test specimens were trimmed from the compaction test specimen. The 1D consolidation test specimen was subjected
to the normal pressures of 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 and 160 kPa in sequence on the test specimen which was saturated with
distilled water. At the end of the loading period of 80 kPa, the vertical load was removed and the specimen was allowed
to expand for 24 h for the purpose of evaluating of its swelling behavior. The results showed that void ratio of the soil
specimens decreased with increasing effective normal pressure. The laboratory investigation clearly demonstrates that,
settlement is as the compression of a soil specimen due to vertical loading applied at the top surface of the 1D consolidation
test specimen. It was concluded that, the compression settlement of the stabilized soil with the binder composition of
18% cement, 2% peat ash and 5% silica sand improved by almost 1.3-fold. A notable discovery is the suitability of the
stabilized soil for road embankment and low lying marginal area for foundation works; also solving the environmental
problems in relation to peaty ground. However, sufficient laboratory and field testing are required.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment
Decision analysis of slope ecological restoration based on AHP

Jianguang Bai, Jianjun Wang, Yule Zhang, Xiaodong Ji, Nan Wen

Sains Malaysiana, 2017;46:2075-2081.

The serious deterioration of the ecological environment comes from a large number of geological disasters. These disasters were caused by a number of engineering activities. Ecological restoration is an important measure to reduce geological disasters and protect the ecological environment. On the basis of the introduction of cast-in-situ grids technology, external-soil spray seeding technology and vegetation bag technology, according to the ecological restoration experiment of the road slope attach to the Three Gorges Pumped-Storage Power Station in Hohhot, decision analysis of slope ecological restoration is done with AHP. It is shown that in arid and semi-arid area, selection of slope ecological restoration scheme mainly needs considering the ecological effect and stability. The major factor of ecological effects is survival rate of vegetation. The major factor of stability is the stability in a whole. Cast-in-situ grids technology will be the first choice for ecological restoration of road slope in arid and semi-arid area. This study provides reference for decision of the slope ecological restoration in arid and semi-arid region.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment
Experimental identification on thresholds for early warning of rainfall-induced failure on fractured slopes after giant earthquake

Zong-ji Yang, Taro Uchimura, Jian-ping Qiao, Jian-ping Qiao

Sains Malaysiana, 2017;46:2029-2034.

Prevention and mitigation of rainfall induced geological hazards after the Ms=8 Wenchuan earthquake on May 12th, 2008 were significant for rebuild of earthquake hit regions. After the Wenchuan earthquake, there were tens of thousands of fractured slopes which were broken and loosened by the ground shaking, they were very susceptible to heavy rainfall and change forms into potential debris flows. In order to carry out this disaster reduction and prediction effectively in Longmenshan region, careful real-time monitoring and pre-warning of mountain hazards in both regional and site-specific scales is reasonable as alternatives in Wenchuan earthquake regions. For pre-warning the failure of fractured slopes induced by rainfall, the threshold value or the critical value of the precipitation of hazards should be proposed. However, the identification of critical criterion and parameters to pre-warning is the most difficult issue in mountainous hazards monitoring and pre-warning system especially in the elusive and massive fractured slopes widespread in Wenchuan earthquake regions. In this study, a natural coseismic fractured landslide in the Taziping village, Hongkou County, Dujianyan City, was selected to conduct the field experimental test, in order to identify the threshold parameters and critical criterion of the fractured slopes of Taziping. After the field experimental test, the correlation of rainfall intensity, rainfall duration and accumulative rainfall was investigated. The field experimental test was capable of identifying the threshold factors for failure of rainfall-induced fractured slopes after the giant earthquake.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment
Influence of air supply velocity on temperature field in the self heating process of coa

Shuanglin Song, Shugang Wang, Yuntao Liang, Xiaochen Li, Qi Lin

Sains Malaysiana, 2017;46:2143-2148.

The air supply velocity is an important factor affecting the spontaneous combustion of coal. The appropriate air velocity can not only provide the oxygen required for the oxidation reaction, but maintains the good heat storage environment. Therefore, it is necessary to study the influence of the actual air velocity in the pore space on the self-heating process of coal particles. This paper focuses on studying the real space piled up by spherical particles. CFD simulation software is used to establish the numerical model from pore scale. Good fitness of the simulation results with the existing results verifies the feasibility of the calculation method. Later, the calculation conditions are changed to calculate and analyze the velocity field and the temperature field for self-heating of some particles (the surface of the particles is at a certain temperature) and expound the effect of different air supply velocities on gathering and dissipating the heat.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment
Earliest triassic conodonts of Gua Panjang, Merapoh, Pahang and their bearing towards permian-triassic mass extinction in ,alaysia

Nelisa Ameera Mohamed Joeharry, Che Aziz Ali, Kamal Roslan Mohamed, Mohd Shafeea Leman

Sains Malaysiana, 2018;47:1423-1430.

A single sample from the logged section at eastern side of Gua Panjang limestone hill, southwest of Kampung Kubang
Rasa Village, Merapoh, has yielded 5 very important conodont species. They are Hindeodus parvus erectus, Hindeodus
parvus parvus, Hindeodus latidentatus latidentatus, Hindeodus latidentatus praeparvus, Hindeodus postparvus, Hindeodus
eurypge and Isarcicella staeschi. These Early Triassic conodonts were obtained in a bioclastic dolostone sample, located
2.5 m above bioclastic grainstone which yielded Late Permian foraminifera. The conodonts found were given Conodont
Alteration Index (CAI) scale of 5, consistent with the heating of Main Range granitoid during Indosinian Orogeny.
Limestone harbouring basal Triassic conodonts in Gua Panjang is interpreted to be deposited in an open shallow marine
shelf environment.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment
Fulltext Intricate predatory decisions by a mosquito-specialist spider from Malaysia

Jackson RR, Li D, Woon JR, Hashim R, Cross FR

R Soc Open Sci, 2014 Oct;1(2):140131.
PMID: 26064534 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.140131

Paracyrba wanlessi is a southeast Asian jumping spider (Salticidae) that lives in the hollow internodes of fallen bamboo and preys on the larvae, pupae and adults of mosquitoes. In contrast to Evarcha culicivora, an East African salticid that is also known for actively targeting mosquitoes as preferred prey, there was no evidence of P. wanlessi choosing mosquitoes on the basis of species, sex or diet. However, our findings show that P. wanlessi chooses mosquitoes significantly more often than a variety of other prey types, regardless of whether the prey are in or away from water, and regardless of whether the mosquitoes are adults or juveniles. Moreover, a preference for mosquito larvae, pupae and adults is expressed regardless of whether test spiders are maintained on a diet of terrestrial or aquatic prey and regardless of whether the diet includes or excludes mosquitoes. Congruence of an environmental factor (in water versus away from water) with prey type (aquatic versus terrestrial mosquitoes) appeared to be important and yet, even when the prey were in the incongruent environment, P. wanlessi continued to choose mosquitoes more often than other prey.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment
Fulltext Students' learning style detection using tree augmented naive Bayes

Li LX, Abdul Rahman SS

R Soc Open Sci, 2018 Jul;5(7):172108.
PMID: 30109052 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.172108

Students are characterized according to their own distinct learning styles. Discovering students' learning style is significant in the educational system in order to provide adaptivity. Past researches have proposed various approaches to detect the students' learning styles. Among all, the Bayesian network has emerged as a widely used method to automatically detect students' learning styles. On the other hand, tree augmented naive Bayesian network has the ability to improve the naive Bayesian network in terms of better classification accuracy. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of the tree augmented naive Bayesian in automatically detecting students' learning style in the online learning environment. The experimental results are promising as the tree augmented naive Bayes network is shown to achieve higher detection accuracy when compared to the Bayesian network.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment
Home environmental interventions for prevention of respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Kua KP, Lee DSWH

Rev Environ Health, 2021 Sep 27;36(3):297-307.
PMID: 33544536 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2020-0169

OBJECTIVES: Poor housing conditions have been associated with increased risks of respiratory infections. This review aims to determine whether modifying the physical environment of the home has benefits in reducing respiratory infections.
CONTENT: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of home environmental interventions for preventing respiratory tract infections. Ten electronic databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials published from inception to July 31, 2020. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to assess the study outcomes. Our search identified 14 eligible studies across 12 countries, which comprised 87,428 households in total. The type of interventions on home environment included kitchen appliance and design, water supply and sanitation, house insulation, and home heating. Meta-analysis indicated a potential benefit of home environmental interventions in preventing overall respiratory tract infections (Absolute RR=0.89, 95% CI=0.78-1.01, p=0.07; Pooled adjusted RR=0.72, 95% CI=0.63-0.84, p<0.0001). Subgroup analyses depicted that home environmental interventions had no significant impact on lower respiratory tract infections, pneumonia, and severe pneumonia. A protective effect against respiratory infections was observed in high income country setting (RR=0.82, 95% CI=0.78-0.87, p<0.00001).
SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK: Home environmental interventions have the potential to reduce morbidity of respiratory tract infections. The lack of significant impact from stand-alone housing interventions suggests that multicomponent interventions should be implemented in tandem with high-quality health systems.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment*

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