Perceived Effects of Environmental Pollution Exposure on Pregnancy Outcomes among Women of Reproductive Age in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
Mots-clés :
Environmental pollution, pregnancy outcomes, air pollution, water pollution, reproductive health., Pollution environnementale, issue de la grossesse, pollution de l’air, pollution de l’eau, santé reproductive.Résumé
Although environmental pollution is a serious and growing threat to reproductive health, little is known about how women perceive its impact on pregnancy outcomes, particularly in Nigerian communities. This study examined how women of reproductive age in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, perceived the effects of environmental pollution exposure on pregnancy outcomes. A descriptive survey design was adopted. A multistage sampling approach comprising stratified, proportionate, and convenience sampling techniques was used to select a sample of 402 participants from a target population estimated at 302,666 women of reproductive age in Ilorin Central.
A structured, researcher-designed questionnaire with a dichotomous (Yes/No) response format was used to collect data. Content validity was established through expert review, and reliability was confirmed using the Spearman-Brown prophecy formula, which yielded a coefficient of 0.86. The research questions were answered using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage), while the hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 significance level using chi-square analysis. The findings showed that 61.1% of respondents believed air pollution had a negative effect on pregnancy outcomes, and 60.1% held the same view regarding water contamination.
Statistically significant perceptions of harm were confirmed by the rejection of both null hypotheses (air pollution: χ² = 19.26, df = 1, p < 0.05; water pollution: χ² = 15.92, df = 1, p < 0.05). Awareness was lowest for complex outcomes such as congenital heart defects and neural tube disorders, while it was highest for dust-related infant respiratory problems (84.6%) and waterborne infections (83.3%). Overall, women in Ilorin held strong perceptions of the reproductive risks associated with pollution exposure, although notable knowledge gaps remained for certain congenital outcomes. The study recommends that environmental regulations be strengthened to reduce pollution exposure among women of reproductive age, and that targeted health education programmes be implemented to close these knowledge gaps therefore to protect the population and prevent harms.
Abstract
Effets perçus de l’exposition à la pollution environnementale sur les résultats de la grossesse chez les femmes en âge de procréer à Ilorin, État de Kwara, Nigeria
Bien que la pollution environnementale constitue une menace grave et croissante pour la santé reproductive, on sait peu de choses sur la manière dont les femmes perçoivent son impact sur l’issue de la grossesse, en particulier dans les communautés nigérianes. Cette étude a examiné la manière dont les femmes en âge de procréer à Ilorin, dans l’État de Kwara, au Nigéria, percevaient les effets de l’exposition à la pollution environnementale sur l’issue de la grossesse. Un devis d’enquête descriptive a été adopté. Une approche d’échantillonnage à plusieurs degrés, comprenant des techniques d’échantillonnage stratifié, proportionnel et de convenance, a été utilisée pour sélectionner un échantillon de 402 participantes à partir d’une population cible estimée à 302 666 femmes en âge de procréer dans le centre d’Ilorin.
Un questionnaire structuré élaboré par le chercheur, avec un format de réponse dichotomique (Oui/Non), a été utilisé pour recueillir les données. La validité de contenu a été établie par une évaluation d’experts, et la fiabilité a été confirmée à l’aide de la formule de prédiction de Spearman-Brown, qui a donné un coefficient de 0,86. Les questions de recherche ont été traitées à l’aide de statistiques descriptives (fréquences et pourcentages), tandis que les hypothèses ont été testées au seuil de signification de 0,05 à l’aide de l’analyse du chi carré. Les résultats ont montré que 61,1 % des répondantes estimaient que la pollution de l’air avait un effet négatif sur l’issue de la grossesse, et 60,1 % partageaient le même point de vue concernant la contamination de l’eau.
Les perceptions statistiquement significatives des effets nocifs ont été confirmées par le rejet des deux hypothèses nulles (pollution de l’air : χ² = 19,26, ddl = 1, p < 0,05 ; pollution de l’eau : χ² = 15,92, ddl = 1, p < 0,05). Le niveau de sensibilisation était le plus faible concernant des issues complexes telles que les malformations cardiaques congénitales et les anomalies du tube neural, tandis qu’il était le plus élevé pour les problèmes respiratoires infantiles liés à la poussière (84,6 %) et les infections hydriques (83,3 %). Dans l’ensemble, les femmes d’Ilorin avaient une perception élevée des risques reproductifs associés à l’exposition à la pollution, bien que des lacunes importantes dans les connaissances subsistent concernant certaines anomalies congénitales. L’étude recommande de renforcer les réglementations environnementales afin de réduire l’exposition des femmes en âge de procréer à la pollution, et de mettre en œuvre des programmes ciblés d’éducation sanitaire pour combler ces lacunes en matière de connaissances afin de protéger la population et de prévenir les effets nocifs.
Téléchargements
Références
Agedew, E., Tsegaye, B., Bante, A., Zerihun, E., Aklilu, A., Girma, M., et al. (2022). Zinc deficiency and associated factors among pregnant women's attending antenatal clinics in public health facilities of Konso Zone, Southern Ethiopia. PLoS ONE, 17(7), e0270971. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0270971
Amechi, E. P., & Oni, B. A. (2019). Import of electronic waste into Nigeria: The imperative of a regulatory policy shift. Chinese Journal of Environmental Law, 3(2), 141–166.
Anafi, P., & Mprah, W. K. (2022). Knowledge and perception of risk in pregnancy and childbirth among women in low-income communities in Accra. Women, 2(4), 385–396. https://doi.org/10.3390/women2040035
Basilio, E., Chen, R., Fernandez, A. C., et al. (2022). Wildfire smoke exposure during pregnancy: A review of potential mechanisms of placental toxicity, impact on obstetric outcomes, and strategies to reduce exposure. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, 13727. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192113727
Bhardwaj, J. K., Paliwal, A., Saraf, P., et al. (2021). Effects of heavy metals on reproduction owing to infertility. Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology, 35, e22823. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbt.22823
Canipari, R., De Santis, L., & Cecconi, S. (2020). Female fertility and environmental pollution. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(23), 8802.
Ebdrup, N. H., Schullehner, J., Knudsen, U. B., Liew, Z., Thomsen, A. M. L., Lyngsø, J., ... & Ramlau-Hansen, C. H. (2022). Drinking water nitrate and risk of pregnancy loss: A nationwide cohort study. Environmental Health, 21(1), 87.
Green, M. P., Harvey, A. J., Finger, B. J., & Tarulli, G. A. (2021). Endocrine disrupting chemicals: Impacts on human fertility and fecundity during the peri-conception period. Environmental Research, 194, 110694.
Hehua, Z., Qing, C., Shanyan, G., Qijun, W., & Yuhong, Z. (2017). The impact of prenatal exposure to air pollution on childhood wheezing and asthma: A systematic review. Environmental Research, 159, 519–530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2017.08.038
Hlisníková, H., Petrovičová, I., Kolena, B., Šidlovská, M., & Sirotkin, A. (2020). Effects and mechanisms of phthalates' action on reproductive processes and reproductive health: A literature review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(18), 6811.
Ji, N., Johnson, M., Eckel, S. P., Gauderman, W. J., Chavez, T. A., Berhane, K., ... & Breton, C. V. (2023). Prenatal ambient air pollution exposure and child weight trajectories from the 3rd trimester of pregnancy to 2 years of age: A cohort study. BMC Medicine, 21(1), 341.
Kshetrimayum, C., Sharma, A., Mishra, V. V., & Kumar, S. (2019). Polycystic ovarian syndrome: Environmental/occupational, lifestyle factors; an overview. Journal of the Turkish German Gynecological Association, 20(4), 255.
Mahey, S., Kumar, R., Sharma, M., Kumar, V., & Bhardwaj, R. (2020). A critical review on toxicity of cobalt and its bioremediation strategies. SN Applied Sciences, 2(7), 1279.
Manisalidis, I., Stavropoulou, E., Stavropoulos, A., et al. (2020). Environmental and health impacts of air pollution: A review. Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 14.
Montano, L., Pironti, C., Pinto, G., Ricciardi, M., Buono, A., Brogna, C., ... & Motta, O. (2022). Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the environment: Occupational and exposure events, effects on human health and fertility. Toxics, 10(7), 365.
National Population Commission. (2023). Population distribution in Ilorin Central, Kwara State. Abuja: NPC.
Nie, Z., Xu, H., Qiu, M., Liu, M., Chu, C., Bloom, M. S., & Ou, Y. (2024). Associations of maternal exposure to multiple plasma trace elements with the prevalence of fetal congenital heart defects: A nested case-control study. Science of the Total Environment, 912, 169409.
Oghenetega, O. B., Ojengbede, O. A., & Ana, G. R. E. E. (2020). Perception determinants of women and healthcare providers on the effects of oil pollution on maternal and newborn outcomes in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. International Journal of Women's Health, 12, 197–205. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S235536
Osman, A. I., Hosny, M., Eltaweil, A. S., et al. (2023). Microplastic sources, formation, toxicity and remediation: A review. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 21(4), 2129–2169.
Predieri, B., Iughetti, L., Bernasconi, S., & Street, M. E. (2022). Endocrine disrupting chemicals' effects in children: What we know and what we need to learn. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(19), 11899.
Rajmohan, K. S., Chandrasekaran, R., & Varjani, S. (2020). A review on occurrence of pesticides in environment and current technologies for their remediation and management. Indian Journal of Microbiology, 60, 125–138.
Roberman, J., Emeto, T. I., & Adegboye, O. A. (2021). Adverse birth outcomes due to exposure to household air pollution from unclean cooking fuel among women of reproductive age in Nigeria. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), 634. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020634
Rosenstock, I. M. (1974). Historical origins of the Health Belief Model. Health Education Monographs, 2(4), 328–335.
Saenen, N. D., Plusquin, M., Bijnens, E., Janssen, B. G., Gyselaers, W., Cox, B., Fierens, F., Molenberghs, G., Penders, J., Vrijens, K., De Boever, P., & Nawrot, T. S. (2015). In utero fine particle air pollution and placental expression of genes in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling pathway: An ENVIRONAGE birth cohort study. Environmental Health Perspectives, 123(8), 834–840. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408549
Shine, S., Tamirie, M., Kumie, A., Addissie, A., Athlin, S., Mekonnen, H., Girma, E., Molla, M., & Kaba, M. (2023). Pregnant women's perception on the health effects of household air pollution in rural Butajira, Ethiopia: A phenomenological qualitative study. BMC Public Health, 23, 1633. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16578-8
Simoncic, V., Enaux, C., Deguen, S., & Kihal-Talantikite, W. (2020). Adverse birth outcomes related to NO2 and PM exposure: European systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(21), 8116.
Singh, L., Anand, M., Singh, S., & Taneja, A. (2020). Environmental toxic metals in placenta and their effects on preterm delivery: Current opinion. Drug and Chemical Toxicology, 43(5), 531–538.
Varickanickal, J., Bisung, E., & Elliott, S. J. (2020). Water risk perceptions across the life-course of women in Kenya. Health Promotion International, 35(4), 639–648. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daz055
Wang, W., Zhou, W., Wu, S., Liang, F., Li, Y., Zhang, J., & Wang, Y. (2019). Perfluoroalkyl substances exposure and risk of polycystic ovarian syndrome related infertility in Chinese women. Environmental Pollution, 247, 824–831.
Warwick, D., Young, M., Palmer, J., & Ermel, R. W. (2019). Mercury vapor volatilization from particulate generated from dental amalgam removal with a high-speed dental drill – a significant source of exposure. Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, 14(1), 22.
Wikuats, C. F. H., Nogueira, T., Squizzato, R., de Freitas, E. D., & Andrade, M. D. F. (2023). Health risk assessment of exposure to air pollutants exceeding the new WHO air quality guidelines (AQGs) in São Paulo, Brazil. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(9), 5707.
Yilmaz, B., Terekeci, H., Sandal, S., & Kelestimur, F. (2020). Endocrine disrupting chemicals: Exposure, effects on human health, mechanism of action, models for testing and strategies for prevention. Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders, 21(1), 127–147.
Yun, S., & Oh, K. (2022). The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data linked cause of death data. Epidemiology and Health, 44, e2022021.
Publiée
Comment citer
Numéro
Rubrique
(c) Tous droits réservés Parcours et Initiatives : Revue interdisciplinaire du Graben (PIRIG) 2026
Ce travail est disponible sous la licence Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International .
