Young people’s experiences of breathing, air pollution and respiratory health in a large African city

Air pollution contributes to poor respiratory health and can cause particular problems for children and adolescents as their lungs develop. As part of the TUPUMUE project, which explored the lung health of young people in Nairobi, researchers investigated how adolescents experienced breathing and air pollution in two areas of the city: Mukuru, an informal settlement, and Buruburu, a more affluent residential area. 

In each neighbourhood, participants did walking interviews with the research team. These walking interviews were video-recorded, the routes (defined by the interviewees) were tracked via GPS, and particulate pollution (PM_2.5) measurements were taken along the route. During the walks, researchers asked participants about their experiences of their community, lung health and air pollution. Interviews were conversational, with specific questions asked depending on what was seen, heard, or smelled on the journey.

The research revealed four key findings:

• The feeling of breathing well is related to physical, emotional and social characteristics of a space.
• This study showed no statistically significant difference in measured PM_2.5 concentrations in easier to breathe and harder to breathe spaces in either community.
• When participants found it easier to breathe, they felt able to do more, whereas places where breathing was harder limited activity.
• Mukuru had more hotspots of PM_2.5 pollution than Buruburu: these differences highlight inequalities in PM_2.5 exposure and the potential for individuals to reduce their exposure through behavioural changes.

Though participants took individual measure to limit their exposure, the authors emphasize that top-down, policy-driven action would also contribute to improving people’s breathing and their health and wellbeing, as well as reducing overall air pollution exposure.