Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Concerns in Malakand Division: A Study of Patients’ Admissions at Hospital and Outpatient Visits

Abstract

Air pollution poses numerous threats and challenges to human life and health and has been a global concern. This qualitative study investigates the impact of air pollution on respiratory health in Malakand Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. At first, the information of patients with respiratory health issues was obtained from four category-D hospital including Timergara, Batkhela, Talash and Saidu Sharif Swat through health professionals serving therein. Using a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 20 patients and healthcare professionals to gather rich, contextual data with the open-ended interviews and two FGDs. The study reveals that air pollution is a significant public health concern in the region, with increased hospital admissions and outpatient visits for respiratory diseases. The findings highlight the severe effects of air pollution, vulnerability of certain populations, and high levels of air pollutant concentrations. The study emphasizes the need for urgent action to reduce air pollutant concentrations, promote cleaner energy sources, and protect vulnerable populations. The results have important implications for policy and practice and can inform the development of effective strategies to mitigate the health impacts of air pollution in the region.