1.Environmental Factors Related to Quality of Life of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review
Amy Azira Hamis ; Roszita Ibrahim ; Mohd Hasni Ja&rsquo ; afar
International Journal of Public Health Research 2023;13(no.2):1756-1765
Introduction:
Concerns about the quality of life (QoL) of parents of children with autism
spectrum disorder have been raised by previous study. Policy decision-makers
and healthcare professionals can be better informed about the environmental
factors associated with parental QoL, which will enhance outcomes for both
parents and children. The objective of this review is to perform a
comprehensive review that assesses the environmental relevant factors
associated with quality of life (QoL) of parents of ASD children (under 18
years old).
Methods:
To identify the environmental factors associated with parental QoL, a scoping
review was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley original and enhanced
framework. Three electronic database (PubMed, Scopus & WOS) and
reference list checks were used in the search.
Results:
Social support, family support, residential condition, and access to services
were all factors linked to the parental quality of life in this group.
Conclusions
The review highlighted environmental factors as one of the variables that have
an association with parental QoL. The results of this analysis also highlighted
potential areas of support that have implications on future policy and practices.
2.Prenatal PM2.5 Exposure and Its Association with Neurodevelopmental Impairment in Children: A Narrative Review
Amy Azira Hamis ; Muhammad Al-Amin Shaharuddin ; Nazmeen Adline Fawwazah A Fauzi ; Mohd Rizal Abdul Manaf
International Journal of Public Health Research 2023;13(no.2):1743-1755
Introduction:
Air pollutants, including PM2.5, are an increasing threat to public health. Studies
have reported the adverse effect of PM2.5 exposures during pregnancy on
neurodevelopment in children. We performed a narrative review using the
PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases from 2017 to 2022 using
keywords such as prenatal, particulate matter, neurodevelopment, and
children. This review aims to identify symptoms of impaired
neurodevelopment in children associated with prenatal PM2.5 exposure, the
association between the timing of prenatal exposure PM2.5 and symptoms of
impaired neurodevelopment in children as well as other factors that may
influence the association of prenatal PM2.5 exposure and symptoms of impaired
neurodevelopment in children
Methods:
A total of 25 articles were included in this review.
Results:
Symptoms of neurodevelopmental impairment associated with prenatal
exposure to PM2.5 include language, speech, and communication symptoms;
motor skills; behaviour and social skills; memory as well as learning/cognitive
symptoms. Neurodevelopmental impairments were associated with exposure
to PM2.5 across all three trimesters with impairment in communication and
behavioural domains predominating in those exposed during the first trimester.
Conclusions
Generally, males were more susceptible to having neurodevelopmental
impairment symptoms compared to females. More information regarding the
effect of prenatal PM2.5 exposure on neurodevelopmental domains of children
will support public health policies that reduce air pollution and improve
children’s health.