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Public perception of air pollution and health effects in Nanchang, China

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Abstract

A cross-sectional survey study was conducted in Nanchang University between April and May of 2014, with a total of 528 respondents (response rate = 96 %) to examine public perception regarding the current air pollution and its effect on public health. Approximately 57 % of the respondents perceived that the air quality in Nanchang was fair. Over 93 % of respondents understood that there is an association between air pollution and human health. Over 95 % of respondents believe more money and action should be allocated toward future efforts to improve air quality of Nanchang. Almost all respondents (>97 %) agreed that the improvement of air quality is also the responsibility and obligation of every citizen. This study clearly shows that there exists positive perception and strong support from Nanchang public on air quality improvement, which could be valuable and used to influence local government for stricter regulations for improving air quality and healthy environment in future.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by Nanchang University through a Ganjiang Chair Professorship to Dr. Yuanan Lu. This work was performed as part of the University of Hawaii-Nanchang University Public Health Partnership. The authors gratefully acknowledge the participation and assistance of all the respondents and research staff in this study

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Nanchang University, 461 Bayi Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People’s Republic of China

    Gui-lian Lan, Zhao-kang Yuan, Jay E. Maddock, Yuan-yuan Chu, Bing-bing Pan, Hong Tu, Si Fan, Xiong Liao & Yuanan Lu

  2. Office of Public Health Studies, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1960 East-west Road, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA

    Jay E. Maddock, Angelie Cook & Yuanan Lu

Authors
  1. Gui-lian Lan
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  2. Zhao-kang Yuan
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  3. Jay E. Maddock
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  4. Angelie Cook
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  5. Yuan-yuan Chu
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  6. Bing-bing Pan
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  7. Hong Tu
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  8. Si Fan
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  9. Xiong Liao
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  10. Yuanan Lu
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Zhao-kang Yuan or Yuanan Lu.

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Ethics

This survey study was approved by both the Institutional Review Board of Human Studies Program at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa and the Medical Ethics Committee of Nanchang University and performed in accordance with local ethical guidelines. To respect and protect the respondents’ privacy and confidentiality, the surveys were conducted anonymously with written informed consent. Informed consent information was attached on top of each questionnaire and introduced before the surveys. The questionnaire was finished only after the written informed consent was obtained from the respondents.

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Lan, Gl., Yuan, Zk., Maddock, J.E. et al. Public perception of air pollution and health effects in Nanchang, China. Air Qual Atmos Health 9, 951–959 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-016-0397-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-016-0397-0

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