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Crowded housing, indoor environment and children’s respiratory, allergic and general health in Sweden : a cross-sectional study

Eiffener, Elodie ; Murekatete, Rachel ; Merritt, Anne Sophie ; Georgelis, Antonios ; Zelander, Catherine Fahlén ; Al-Nahar, Lina LU ; Jakobsson, Kristina LU ; Albin, Maria LU ; Bergström, Anna and Jonsson, Marina , et al. (2025) In BMJ Open 15(9).
Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to analyse associations between crowded housing and children’s indoor living environment, respiratory and allergic disorders and general health. Design A cross-sectional study. Setting Sweden, using data from the Swedish National Environmental Health Survey 2019. Participants The study sample included 48 512 children (aged 6–10 months, 4 years and 12 years). We also investigated associations in vulnerable subgroups, such as children with asthma and those living under unfavourable socioeconomic conditions. Primary and secondary outcome measures Primary outcomes in the living environment were at least one sign of mould, poor indoor air quality, unpleasant odours, too warm indoors in summer and too cold... (More)

Objectives The aim of this study was to analyse associations between crowded housing and children’s indoor living environment, respiratory and allergic disorders and general health. Design A cross-sectional study. Setting Sweden, using data from the Swedish National Environmental Health Survey 2019. Participants The study sample included 48 512 children (aged 6–10 months, 4 years and 12 years). We also investigated associations in vulnerable subgroups, such as children with asthma and those living under unfavourable socioeconomic conditions. Primary and secondary outcome measures Primary outcomes in the living environment were at least one sign of mould, poor indoor air quality, unpleasant odours, too warm indoors in summer and too cold indoors in winter. Primary outcomes for children’s health were asthma, airway problems, breathing difficulties, rhinitis symptoms, mould and mites allergy, pollen allergy, furred pet allergy and good general health. Results About one in five children lived in an overcrowded home. Factors from the indoor living environment such as perceived poor indoor air quality and mould were significantly associated with crowded housing. Moreover, children who lived in overcrowded conditions were less likely to report good general health than children in non-crowded households (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.76). This association was even stronger in children with asthma (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.77). Few significant associations were, however, observed with the respiratory and allergic health outcomes. Conclusions Crowded housing is associated both with a poor indoor environment and with poorer general health in children. Children with asthma may experience even poorer general health.

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type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
BMJ Open
volume
15
issue
9
article number
e106117
publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
external identifiers
  • scopus:105016832986
  • pmid:40987723
ISSN
2044-6055
DOI
10.1136/bmjopen-2025-106117
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
3eb47307-3191-4b44-9978-6f1451e42927
date added to LUP
2025-11-26 15:10:31
date last changed
2025-11-26 15:10:45
@article{3eb47307-3191-4b44-9978-6f1451e42927,
  abstract     = {{<p>Objectives The aim of this study was to analyse associations between crowded housing and children’s indoor living environment, respiratory and allergic disorders and general health. Design A cross-sectional study. Setting Sweden, using data from the Swedish National Environmental Health Survey 2019. Participants The study sample included 48 512 children (aged 6–10 months, 4 years and 12 years). We also investigated associations in vulnerable subgroups, such as children with asthma and those living under unfavourable socioeconomic conditions. Primary and secondary outcome measures Primary outcomes in the living environment were at least one sign of mould, poor indoor air quality, unpleasant odours, too warm indoors in summer and too cold indoors in winter. Primary outcomes for children’s health were asthma, airway problems, breathing difficulties, rhinitis symptoms, mould and mites allergy, pollen allergy, furred pet allergy and good general health. Results About one in five children lived in an overcrowded home. Factors from the indoor living environment such as perceived poor indoor air quality and mould were significantly associated with crowded housing. Moreover, children who lived in overcrowded conditions were less likely to report good general health than children in non-crowded households (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.76). This association was even stronger in children with asthma (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.77). Few significant associations were, however, observed with the respiratory and allergic health outcomes. Conclusions Crowded housing is associated both with a poor indoor environment and with poorer general health in children. Children with asthma may experience even poorer general health.</p>}},
  author       = {{Eiffener, Elodie and Murekatete, Rachel and Merritt, Anne Sophie and Georgelis, Antonios and Zelander, Catherine Fahlén and Al-Nahar, Lina and Jakobsson, Kristina and Albin, Maria and Bergström, Anna and Jonsson, Marina and Eriksson, Charlotta}},
  issn         = {{2044-6055}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{9}},
  publisher    = {{BMJ Publishing Group}},
  series       = {{BMJ Open}},
  title        = {{Crowded housing, indoor environment and children’s respiratory, allergic and general health in Sweden : a cross-sectional study}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2025-106117}},
  doi          = {{10.1136/bmjopen-2025-106117}},
  volume       = {{15}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}