Air pollution is a significant contributor to respiratory morbidity in children, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas with high levels of particulate matter and vehicular emissions. This study evaluated the effectiveness of community-based air quality improvement interventions on respiratory health outcomes among 600 children aged 5–12 years in three urban neighborhoods. Interventions included the distribution of indoor air filters, promotion of clean cooking fuels, planting of vegetation barriers, and community awareness campaigns on reducing outdoor emissions. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included spirometry tests, incidence of respiratory infections, and school absenteeism due to respiratory illness. Results demonstrated a 25% reduction in reported respiratory symptoms, a statistically significant improvement in lung function (FEV1 increased by 12%, p<0.01), and a 15% decrease in school absenteeism. Stratified analysis indicated that children with pre-existing asthma benefited most from interventions. The study underscores the effectiveness of low-cost, community-level interventions in improving respiratory health and provides evidence for scaling similar programs in other urban areas with poor air quality.

Keywords:
Air Quality, Respiratory Health, Children, Environmental Health, Public Health Intervention