EFFECTS FOR PARTICLES MATERIAL ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION ON ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISEASES IN UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE

Abstract

Atmospheric pollution is one of the principal environmental problems of Central Southern Chile and its effects
on health are partially recognized. This research identifies the profile of consultations for respiratory diseases in children under 5 years of age and correlates the critical phenomena of atmospheric pollution with consultations for Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) in two health centers in the city of Temuco. To do this, a descriptive correlative study was carried out, based on the children under 5 years old who attended the Santa Rosa and Amanecer First Aid Centers in the city of Temuco between the years 2000 and 2002, suffering from ARI (6,285 children). The data were analyzed using Stata 7.0 and with a confidence level of 5%. The results show significant variations, enabling us to state that in periods of atmospheric pollution an increase of consultations for ARI is generated in both Centers. Moreover the research showed that a relationship exists between atmospheric pollution events and ARI, meaning that it is necessary to create an epidemiological alert system capable of generating information to define the relationship between the concentration of pollutants and damage to health, and also to establish alert levels of warning, being the nurse one of the professionals that should participate in the multidisciplinary groups.