The impact of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) on patients' health and comfort in Nigeria

• Published in: Structural survey Vol. 42; no. 4; pp. 510 - 530
• Main Authors: Pontip, Stephen Nimlyat, Salihu, Bala, Wang, Grace Pam
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bingley Emerald Group Publishing Limited 12.08.2024
• Subjects: Air quality; Building design; Buildings; Configuration management; Design; Design factors; Design parameters; Efficiency; Environmental quality; Healing; Health care facilities; Hospitals; Indoor air pollution; Indoor air quality; Indoor environmental quality; Lighting; Patients; Pollutants; Productivity; Recovery (Medical); Structural models; Sustainable development; Ventilation; Nigeria
• ISSN: 2398-4708; 2398-4716
• DOI: 10.1108/IJBPA-06-2021-0089

PurposeThe most challenging aspect of hospital design is the creation of an environment that heals rather than the one acting as a barrier to healing. Much has not been done in the aspect of ascertaining the level of impact “indoor environmental quality (IEQ)” has on building occupants in healthcare facilities. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of IEQ on patients' health and well-being.Design/methodology/approachThe study investigates the hypothesis that four IEQ parameters (thermal quality, acoustic quality, lighting quality and indoor air quality [IAQ]) influence patients' overall satisfaction with the performance of hospital wards. Questionnaire responses were sought from the patients as the main occupants of hospital ward buildings. A proposed weighted structural model for IEQ establishing the relationship between IEQ parameters, patients' overall satisfaction and patients' health outcome was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsThe most influential IEQ parameters on patients' overall satisfaction with IEQ in hospital wards are thermal quality, IAQ and lighting quality. The findings from this study revealed that the parameters of influence on patients' overall satisfaction and health outcomes vary with hospital ward orientation and design configuration.Originality/valueThis study has explored the need for the integration of all factors of IEQ at the building design stage towards providing a hospital environmental setting that reflects occupants' requirements and expectations and also promotes patient healing processes. This should be the focus of architects and healthcare managers and providers.