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Respiratory symptoms and home environment in children: a national survey
M L Burr1, H R Anderson, J B Austin
1Centre for Applied Public Health Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, UK.
Insights
Childhood respiratory symptoms like wheeze are linked to environmental factors. Active and passive smoking, pets, and certain heating fuels increase risk, highlighting the importance of home environment and location.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Respiratory Health
- Environmental Epidemiology
Background:
- Childhood respiratory diseases can persist into adulthood.
- Environmental factors are significant contributors to respiratory illness causation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between home environment factors and respiratory symptoms in adolescents.
- To assess the role of environmental exposures in the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC).
Main Methods:
- A survey of respiratory symptoms was conducted in 12-14 year olds across Great Britain.
- Data on home environment aspects were collected to identify risk factors.
- Multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate associations.
Main Results:
- Wheeze was associated with nonmetropolitan areas, active/passive smoking, furry pets, and unusual heating fuels.
- Smoking (active/passive) and pets were significant contributors to wheezing and rhinitis.
- Gas cooking showed minimal association with respiratory symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Both active and passive smoking are major causes of adolescent respiratory symptoms.
- Pets and fumes from certain heating fuels increase the risk of wheeze and rhinitis.
- Home environment and geographical location independently influence respiratory symptom prevalence.
Background:
Respiratory diseases are common in childhood and may lead to chronic disease in adult life; environmental factors probably play an important part in their causation.
Methods:
A survey of respiratory symptoms in children aged 12-14 years was conducted throughout Great Britain as part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Information was obtained on certain aspects of the home environment in order to assess their importance as risk factors.
Results:
The response rate was 79.3%, and 25,393 children in 93 schools participated. In a multiple regression analysis, wheeze was reported more often in nonmetropolitan areas and in association with active smoking, passive smoking, the presence of a furry pet, bottled gas, paraffin, and other unusual heating fuels; small regional differences persisted. Current smoking, previous smoking, and passive smoking accounted for 10.4%, 6.8%, and 6.5%, respectively, of wheezing in the past 12 months, and furry pets accounted for 5.0%. Cough and phlegm were associated with active and passive smoking and with the miscellaneous fuels; similar associations were found for rhinitis, but were less consistent for rhinitis occurring in spring and summer. Gas cooking showed little association with respiratory symptoms.
Conclusions:
Passive as well as active smoking is an important cause of respiratory symptoms in adolescence. Pets seem to increase the risk of wheeze and rhinitis, and fumes from certain unusual heating fuels may have adverse effects. Home environment and geographical location have independent effects on the prevalence of respiratory symptoms.