The prevalence of asthma among secondary school students in Afyon, Turkey

Ethnic origin has been reported to affect the prevalence of atopic diseases in several studies in different parts of the world. The aim of this study was to determine the current and cumulative prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis and reactivities to allergen skin prick tests (SPT) among secondary school students in Afyon, Turkey. The data of the first stage were collated through the application of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey Questionnaire on 1,400 students (1,366 were properly completed) registering at various schools in Afyon-Turkey, in the academic year 2000-2001. At the second stage, a physical examination and SPT were performed on 121 students. Of the students within the study group, 53 (3.9%) had experienced an asthma attack within the previous 12 months, 49 (3.6%) had a past history of asthma attacks and 167 (12.2%) reported wheezing attacks within the previous 12 months. The cumulative prevalence of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and dermatitis were found to be 7.46%, 8.10% and 3.5%, respectively. A positive SPT reaction to at least one allergen was found in 15.7% of the students. SPT positivity was 11.13% in symptomless students and 20.3% in asthmatic students. In analysis of logistic regression, a history of atopy, as determined in the questionnaire, was seen to be significantly correlated with SPT positivity. The prevalence of self-reported asthma and/or asthma-like symptoms was shown to be lower in students living in Afyon than other countries. Asthma and asthma-like symptoms were found to be significantly more prevalent among students who smoked.