EFFECTS OF OZONE ON CONSULTATIONS FOR ASTHMA IN CHILDREN IN KOPER MUNICIPALITY: A TIME TREND STUDY

Aiming at assessing the feasibility of linkage of existing health and environmental data in Slovenia in the case of the Koper Municipality in identifying the grounded need for public health action, the objective of the study was to assess the association between consultations on the primary health care level due to asthma and daily ozone concentrations. An ecological time-trend study with a single day as a unit of observation was performed in 2012. Periods from April 1 through October 31 were observed in 2010 and 2011. The study population was children, aged 0-12 years, who visited the Community Health Centre Koper for asthma. Logistic regression was used in analysis. The results showed statistically significant association between daily occurrence of at least one consultation for asthma and ozone daily maximum 8-hr average concentration 70 μg/m3 or exceeded, lag 4 days (OR=4.77; p=0.042). There is an evidence of association between increased ozone levels and daily occurrence of any consultation for asthma in Koper Municipality. The study opened many challenges for future research. If they are resolved, evidence-based approach to public health activities in the field of environmental health in the region and in Slovenia would be strongly improved on this basis thereof.