Airborne Particulate Matter Pollution—Knowledge, Perception and Breathing Experiences of Port Harcourt Residents During COVID-19 Pandemic Shutdown

Abstract

While millions of deaths are recorded from COVID-19 pandemic infection, the environment continues to benefits from the lockdown of cities. A descriptive cross-sectional survey aimed at assessing residents’ knowledge and perception concerning air pollution and breathing experience in Port Harcourt was carried out within 20^th-28^th of May, 2020. Convenience and purposive non-randomized sampling methods were used to recruit 358 participants. Using descriptive and chi square test analysis, majority (74% and 24%) of the respondents were very aware or aware of air pollution and its health consequences. This varied significantly with sex, age, marital status, occupation and location (p < 0.05). Before the city’s lockdown, 90.1% of respondents experienced particulate matter deposits on surfaces and during the lockdown; it reduces to 54.1% with significant difference (p < 0.05) across residential areas. Hence, age, sex, marital status, occupation and residential area likely to influence higher awareness of air pollution and not duration of stay. Also, significant difference in breathing experiences (p < 0.05) was noted, with majority reporting poor breathing experience before lockdown and good during the lockdown. Joint action of governments’ policies on air pollution and high awareness among residents could be explored effectively to mitigate air pollution hazards.