Sick Building Syndrome: Prevalence and Risk Factors Among Medical Staff in Chinese Hospitals
Sick building syndrome (SBS) poses a significant challenge in hospital settings, adversely affecting staff health, operational efficiency, and environmental quality. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of SBS among medical staff in Chinese hospitals, advancing the literatu...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Buildings |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/9/1397 |
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| author | Jiantao Weng Fuyuan Huang Jingkai Lin Qianling Wang Xiaoyu Ying Yukai Sun Yang Tan |
| author_facet | Jiantao Weng Fuyuan Huang Jingkai Lin Qianling Wang Xiaoyu Ying Yukai Sun Yang Tan |
| author_sort | Jiantao Weng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Sick building syndrome (SBS) poses a significant challenge in hospital settings, adversely affecting staff health, operational efficiency, and environmental quality. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of SBS among medical staff in Chinese hospitals, advancing the literature by pinpointing actionable environmental and psychological factors tailored to this occupational group within China’s distinct regional context. A survey questionnaire was administered to 615 medical staff members across seven private hospitals located in the eastern coastal region of China. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. The survey encompassed 27 factors across four aspects, with respondents being asked to self-assess the severity of four types of SBS symptoms (never, rarely, occasionally, often). Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify factors associated with SBS, based on odds ratios (OR) with a significance level of <i>p</i> < 0.05. The prevalence rates for skin symptoms, mucosal symptoms, and general symptoms were 32.8%, 61%, and 71.1%, respectively. Gender, psychological mood, visibility of water systems and greenery from the workspace, outdoor noise environment, indoor air quality, indoor natural lighting, department of occupancy, design of workspace, cleanliness, and control over the indoor environment (temperature, lighting) were identified as risk factors related to SBS symptoms. These findings underscore the critical role of modifiable building design and psychological factors in SBS occurrence, offering a novel perspective on hospital-specific risks in China compared to global studies. Enhancing indoor and outdoor environments—through increased greenery, noise reduction, improved air quality, better lighting, and greater environmental control—emerges as a vital strategy to mitigate SBS, with implications for hospital management and staff well-being. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-93b1c243e7174a5484c98a2f611e84b2 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj-art-93b1c243e7174a5484c98a2f611e84b22025-08-20T01:49:10ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-04-01159139710.3390/buildings15091397Sick Building Syndrome: Prevalence and Risk Factors Among Medical Staff in Chinese HospitalsJiantao Weng0Fuyuan Huang1Jingkai Lin2Qianling Wang3Xiaoyu Ying4Yukai Sun5Yang Tan6School of Spatial Planning and Design, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou 310015, ChinaSchool of Spatial Planning and Design, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou 310015, ChinaSchool of Spatial Planning and Design, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou 310015, ChinaSchool of Spatial Planning and Design, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou 310015, ChinaSchool of Spatial Planning and Design, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou 310015, ChinaHangzhou Integrative Medicine Hospital, Hangzhou 310064, ChinaDepartment of Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaSick building syndrome (SBS) poses a significant challenge in hospital settings, adversely affecting staff health, operational efficiency, and environmental quality. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of SBS among medical staff in Chinese hospitals, advancing the literature by pinpointing actionable environmental and psychological factors tailored to this occupational group within China’s distinct regional context. A survey questionnaire was administered to 615 medical staff members across seven private hospitals located in the eastern coastal region of China. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. The survey encompassed 27 factors across four aspects, with respondents being asked to self-assess the severity of four types of SBS symptoms (never, rarely, occasionally, often). Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify factors associated with SBS, based on odds ratios (OR) with a significance level of <i>p</i> < 0.05. The prevalence rates for skin symptoms, mucosal symptoms, and general symptoms were 32.8%, 61%, and 71.1%, respectively. Gender, psychological mood, visibility of water systems and greenery from the workspace, outdoor noise environment, indoor air quality, indoor natural lighting, department of occupancy, design of workspace, cleanliness, and control over the indoor environment (temperature, lighting) were identified as risk factors related to SBS symptoms. These findings underscore the critical role of modifiable building design and psychological factors in SBS occurrence, offering a novel perspective on hospital-specific risks in China compared to global studies. Enhancing indoor and outdoor environments—through increased greenery, noise reduction, improved air quality, better lighting, and greater environmental control—emerges as a vital strategy to mitigate SBS, with implications for hospital management and staff well-being.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/9/1397sick building syndromehospitalindoor environmentrisk factor |
| spellingShingle | Jiantao Weng Fuyuan Huang Jingkai Lin Qianling Wang Xiaoyu Ying Yukai Sun Yang Tan Sick Building Syndrome: Prevalence and Risk Factors Among Medical Staff in Chinese Hospitals Buildings sick building syndrome hospital indoor environment risk factor |
| title | Sick Building Syndrome: Prevalence and Risk Factors Among Medical Staff in Chinese Hospitals |
| title_full | Sick Building Syndrome: Prevalence and Risk Factors Among Medical Staff in Chinese Hospitals |
| title_fullStr | Sick Building Syndrome: Prevalence and Risk Factors Among Medical Staff in Chinese Hospitals |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sick Building Syndrome: Prevalence and Risk Factors Among Medical Staff in Chinese Hospitals |
| title_short | Sick Building Syndrome: Prevalence and Risk Factors Among Medical Staff in Chinese Hospitals |
| title_sort | sick building syndrome prevalence and risk factors among medical staff in chinese hospitals |
| topic | sick building syndrome hospital indoor environment risk factor |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/9/1397 |
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