Developing and evaluating a mobile phone-based early alert system using high resolution air quality forecast to improve asthma control in Malaysia

01 Apr 2024
Research question: Is a high-resolution air quality forecast alert system designed within a mobile healthcare application (m-app) effective in improving asthma control? Background: Haze is common in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia. In earlier studies funded by RESPIRE in Klang, Malaysia (2018-2021), we found 66% of adults with asthma have poor control, with 51% reporting haze as a trigger. Exposure to haze was significantly associated with poor control (OR 1.51; 95% CI 1.13-2.01) and every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM10 increased the relative risk of an asthma exacerbation by 8.7% (RR 1.087; 95% CI 1.023-1.155). As exacerbations were likely to occur 2-days after haze exposure, there are opportunities for intervention. We propose to develop an air quality forecast alert system using an m-app for individuals with asthma and evaluate its effectiveness in improving asthma control. Methodology: There are three phases of work: 1: Develop a streetscale-resolution air quality forecast system using the Atmospheric Dispersion Modelling System Urban model. 2: Design an m-app as the platform for air quality forecast and asthma self-management. 3: Assess the usability and effectiveness of the m-app as an early alert system to support asthma self-management in improving asthma control through a pilot-feasibility study. Outcomes assessed include asthma control using Global Initiative for Asthma score as the primary outcome; and clinical (e.g., peak expiratory flow rate, emergency visits) and system (e.g., usability score, frequency of use) as the secondary outcomes. Questions to discuss: - How do we ensure participant’s adherence to using the m-app? - How do we sustain this app after study completion? - Can we assess if the spatial and temporal resolutions of the air quality forecast influence the effectiveness of the intervention? This may not be the main objective of this study, but the information would be helpful in designing the most effective forecast.

Resource information

Respiratory conditions
  • Asthma
Respiratory topics
  • Risk factor: outdoor air pollution
Type of resource
Abstract
Conference
Athens 2024
Author(s)
Norita Hussein 1, Chun Lin 2, Wee Cheah 3, Chng Saun Fong 4, Adina Abdullah 1, Wei Leik Ng 1, Ping Yein Lee 5, Chin Hai Teo 1, Chee Sun Liew 6, Norimichi Hirahara 5, Chee Kuan Wong 7, Yong Kek Pang 7, Nasrin Aghamohammadi 8, Mohd Talib Latif 9, Maggie Chel Gee Ooi 10, Jenny Stocker 11, Kate Johnson 11, Nik Sherina Hanafi 1, Siti Nurkamilla Ramdzan 1, Rizawati Ramli 1, Ai Theng Cheong 12, Sazlina Shariff Ghazali 12, Poh Ying Lim 13, Hani Syahida Salim 12, Jay Evans 2, Bee Kiau Ho 14, Hilary Pinnock 2, Ee Ming Khoo 1 1 Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2 NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Respiratory Health (RESPIRE), Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, 3 Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 4 Institute for Advanced Studies, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 5 UM eHealth Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 6 Department of Computer System & Technology, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 7 Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 8 Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 9 Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia, 10 Center for Tropical Climate Change System, Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia, 11 Cambridge Environmental Research Consultants, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 12 Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia, 13 Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia, 14 Botanik Health Clinic, Ministry of Health, Klang, Selangor"