Individual and Household Practices for Mitigating and Preventing Indoor Air Pollution Among Health Professional Students: A Self-Report Study

Indoor air pollution is a significant environmental issue linked to a range of short- and long-term health consequences, including respiratory disorders, cancer, and premature death. It often results from common household activities, yet practices to mitigate its impact are frequently neglected. This study aimed to explore individual and household-level practices for indoor air pollution mitigation and prevention and its associated factors among health professional students.

A descriptive survey was conducted among 388 health professional students enrolled in undergraduate nursing and dental programs, recruited using consecutive sampling. Sociodemographic profiles and a five-point Likert scale were used to collect data on participants' backgrounds and their individual and household-level practices for mitigating and preventing indoor air pollution. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the data analysis.

Most of the undergraduates, 71.1%, were engaged in high levels of IAP mitigation and prevention practices. Dental undergraduates practiced significantly better than nursing undergraduates in terms of keeping windows open for natural ventilation, washing bedding, pillows, and curtains regularly, and cleaning the top of the ceiling fan blades. However, they were also more likely to allow people to wear outdoor shoes inside the house. Gender and marital status were significantly associated with IAP mitigation strategies (p < 0.05). Limited exposure to workshops or seminars on IAP (86.1% of participants) may explain moderate adherence levels.

The results underscore the importance of integrating environmental health awareness into health professional training, as even future healthcare providers demonstrate inconsistent adherence to key indoor air pollution (IAP) prevention practices. These findings align with existing research indicating low public engagement with IAP mitigation despite well-documented health risks, highlighting the need for targeted education. However, the study is limited by its reliance on self-reported data and a single-institution sample, which may affect the generalizability and accuracy of the results.

Although health professional students displayed moderate to high self-care behaviors, gaps in specific practices and demographic disparities highlight the need for targeted educational interventions. Integrating environmental health education into health professional curricula could enhance awareness and practice levels.