Urban housing conditions and indoor environmental inequalities: a socio-environmental analysis of sanitation, ventilation, and health-related risks in residential apartments in Durrës, Albania

Abstract

This study examines urban housing conditions and indoor environmental inequalities in residential apartments in Durrës, Albania, with a focus on sanitation, ventilation, and housing-related health risks. Using a crosssectional design, data were collected from 150 households through structured questionnaires and direct observations, covering housing characteristics, household behaviors, and indicators of indoor environmental quality, including moisture, mold, pests, and ventilation practices. The results reveal generally positive self-reported hygiene conditions and housing satisfaction; however, objective environmental assessments indicate persistent risks, particularly moisture (26%) and mold (22%) presence, as well as widespread insect infestation (49.3%). Statistical analyses show that indoor environmental conditions are significantly associated with structural housing factors, including pipe leakage, ventilation practices, heating systems, and household composition, while behavioral factors alone are insufficient to explain environmental risks. A notable discrepancy was identified between residents’ perceptions of housing quality and measured environmental conditions, suggesting limited awareness of indoor environmental health risks. The findings highlight that indoor environmental quality is shaped primarily by structural housing conditions rather than individual behaviors alone, reflecting broader patterns of urban housing inequality. From a social determinant of health perspective, the study emphasizes the role of housing infrastructure and environmental conditions in shaping health vulnerability. The results underscore the need for integrated housing and public health policies focused on building maintenance, ventilation standards, and environmental health literacy to reduce preventable risks and promote equitable urban living conditions.