Khosrawi, Ahmad Zobair <br/><br/>
PERCEIVED INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN A  UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN NORTHERN CYPRUS / 
AHMAD ZOBAIR KHOSRAWI; SUPERVISOR: ASSOC. PROF. DR. SEDEF ÇAKIR 
 - xii, 114 sheets;  31 cm  1 CD-ROM 
<br/><br/>Thesis (MSc) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research Environmental Engineering Department 
<br/><br/>Includes bibliography (sheets 91-99) 
<br/><br/> ABSTRACT<br/>Indoor air quality (IAQ) has a profound influence on human health and well-being, <br/>particularly in hospital settings where patients, medical staff, and visitors are typically <br/>more vulnerable to impurities. Hence, investigating IAQ in healthcare settings is <br/>crucial. This study aims to estimate perceived IAQ, prevalent symptoms and <br/>complaints, perceived heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, and <br/>their association with IAQ in a university hospital in Northern Cyprus. In 2023, this<br/>study was carried out utilizing a modified MM-40 IAQ questionnaire survey to collect<br/>information. The entire 207 medical personnel at Kyrenia University Hospital were <br/>invited, however, 173 took part. The thesis revealed a mediocre IAQ overall rating <br/>with a modest awareness. The most prevalent symptoms among medical staff were <br/>fatigue (89.0%), headaches (86.7%), sneezing (84.4%), skin itching (62.4%), dizziness <br/>(61.8%), cough (57.2%), stuffy nose (55.5%), sore or dry throat (54.9%), and runny <br/>nose (52.0%) suggesting a significant possibility of sick building syndrome (SBS) <br/>symptoms existence (P-value < 0.05). The complaints commonly reported were poor <br/>ventilation (72.8%), varying temperature (74%), dust or dirt (54.33%), and <br/>temperature too low (52.60%). HVAC systems were usually thought to be good and <br/>modernized, however, several problems were discovered, such as inadequate <br/>ventilation and temperature changes. Using an IAQ questionnaire survey, improving<br/>HVAC systems, constant IAQ monitoring and the installation of air cleaner devices <br/>are among the recommendations. Implementing these solutions prior to symptoms and <br/>complaints will improve medical personnel's well-being and productivity, eventually <br/>benefiting the overall healthcare community. Studies of IAQ in healthcare facilities <br/>might use the measurement of IAQ parameters for precise conclusions. <br/>Keywords: Air-Conditioning Systems, Healthcare Facilities, Heating, Indoor Air <br/>Quality, Perceptions, University Hospital, Ventilation.<br/> 
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Topical Terms: </label><br/>Air conditioning --Dissertations, Academic<br/> Health facilities--Dissertations, Academic<br/>Heating--Dissertations, Academic<br/>Indoor air quality--Dissertations, Academic<br/> Perception--Dissertations, Academic<br/>Ventilation--Dissertations, Academic