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[Prevalence and risk factors for allergic conjunctivitis in children. Comparative study in two communities]
Francisco Vázquez Nava1, Eulalio Salas Ramírez, Juan de Dios Mogica Mogica
1Unidad de Investigación en Epidemiología Clínica, Hospital General Regional núm. 6, IMSS, Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas, México. fvazqueznava@yahoo.com.mx
Insights
Allergic conjunctivitis affects nearly 10% of children in industrial and rural communities. Family history of allergies and proximity to factories are significant risk factors for this eye condition.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Allergic conjunctivitis is a common ocular condition in children.
- Understanding its prevalence and risk factors is crucial for public health strategies.
- Environmental and genetic factors may influence its occurrence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of allergic conjunctivitis in children.
- To identify risk factors associated with allergic conjunctivitis.
- To compare findings in communities with different industrial development and population density.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional, observational, retrospective epidemiological study.
- Cluster sampling of children aged 6 to 14 years.
- Questionnaire-based data collection and statistical analysis (odds ratios, confidence intervals).
Main Results:
- Prevalence was 9.7% in El Higo (Veracruz) and 10.09% in Tampico-Madero-Altamira.
- Significant risk factors included family history of allergies (OR=8.1 in El Higo, OR=2.52 in Tampico) and proximity to factories (OR=3.5 in El Higo, OR=1.29 in Tampico).
- Nicotinism at home was a protective factor in El Higo (OR=0.34).
Conclusions:
- Allergic conjunctivitis presents a significant health challenge in the studied childhood populations.
- Findings provide a basis for designing preventive strategies and health interventions.
- Risk factors vary between communities, highlighting the need for tailored public health approaches.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence and risk factors for allergic conjunctivitis in childhood populations, in two communities with different urban and industrial development, and population density.
Methods:
A questionnaire was applied to childhood from 6 to 14 years old, selected through cluster sampling. This was an epidemiologic study, observational, open, retrospective and cross-sectional. This is a case-control study with cohorts. Statistical analysis consisted in frequency distributions, odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals. Statistical significance was p < 0.05.
Results:
In the population El Higo, at Veracruz state, where sugar industry is the most important commercial activity, allergic conjunctivitis prevalence was 9.7%; allergic family antecedent was found in 79.74% of patients (p = 0.001, OR = 8.1); nicotinism at home in 12.65% (p = 0.001, OR = 0.34); factory near of patients' house in 65.82% (p = 0.001, OR = 3.5). In Tampico-Madero-Altamira suburb, the prevalence of the pathology was 10.09%; allergic family antecedent 58.89% (p = 0.001, OR = 2.52%); nicotinism at home 36.25% (p = 0.59, OR = 1.06); factory near of house 21.01% (p = 0.03, OR = 1.29).
Conclusions:
Results let us to know the problem that health staff will cope when facing allergic conjunctivitis; that results will be important for strategies designing, in order to establish preventive actions to take in the health-disease evolution of this pathology.
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