School Travel Patterns and Respiratory Symptoms Among Urban School Children

Abstract Air pollution in urban areas remains a significant public health concern, particularly affecting schoolchildren commuting during rush hours. This study examined the association between school travel patterns during peak traffic periods and respiratory disorders among urban primary school students. This cross-sectional study conducted structured interviews with 557 parents from schools in Khon Kaen Municipality, Thailand, based on calculated sample size. Multistage sampling was employed and multiple logistic regression was utilized. The analysis revealed that 87.6% (95% CI: 84.61–90.11) of the students revealed symptoms of respiratory disorders. Statistically significant factors associated with respiratory abnormalities included the mode of travel to and from school, with students commuting by motorcycle/bicycle (AOR:4.06, 95% CI: 1.92–8.59) showing the highest odds, followed by those using private cars (AOR:3.80, 95% CI: 1.90–7.63) compared to school bus/van users ( p -value < 0.001). Crossing traffic lanes before reaching the school gate was also associated with increased odds of experiencing respiratory symptoms (AOR:3.10, 95% CI: 1.56–6.13, p -value < 0.001), as was spending more than 10 min in the pick-up area in the afternoon (AOR:2.91, 95% CI: 1.35–6.26, p -value = 0.006). In addition, age was another significant factor, with younger children showing higher likelihood of experiencing respiratory symptoms. Additionally, students with a history of exposure to secondhand smoke environments were also more likely to report respiratory disorders. These findings highlighted the urgent need for air pollution control measures around urban schools and the development of traffic and environmental policies to protect students’ health from daily exposure to air pollution. Graphical Abstract