Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 26, 2026
A Component-resolved Diagnostic Approach for a Study on Grass Pollen Allergens in Chinese Southerners with Allergic Rhinitis and/or Asthma
Published on: June 4, 2017
Geographical and sociodemographic risk factors for allergic diseases in korean children
1Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
Childhood allergic diseases like asthma and atopic dermatitis show geographical clustering in Korea. Living in high-risk areas significantly increases a child's likelihood of developing these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Epidemiology
- Pediatric Allergy
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood allergic diseases represent a significant public health concern.
- Understanding geographical variations and risk factors is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map the geographical distribution of childhood allergic diseases in Korea.
- To identify geographical and sociodemographic factors associated with these diseases.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 8,631 children (≤18 years) from the Third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
- Employed SaTScan for geographical cluster analysis and logistic regression for risk factor identification.
- Assessed doctor-diagnosed asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis.
Main Results:
- Prevalence rates: Asthma (3.2%), Allergic Rhinitis (13.2%), Atopic Dermatitis (15.5%).
- Geographical risk areas identified for asthma and atopic dermatitis.
- Children in high-risk zones had significantly higher odds of developing asthma (OR=3.47) and atopic dermatitis (OR=9.74).
Conclusions:
- Geographical location is a significant factor in the development of childhood allergic diseases.
- Highlights the need for geographical assessment and community-based prevention strategies.
- Suggests environmental and spatial factors play a role in pediatric allergy etiology.
Purpose:
(a) To examine geographical distribution of childhood allergic diseases in Korea and (b) to identify geographical and sociodemographic risk factors for allergic diseases.
Methods:
Data on doctor-diagnosed asthma during lifetime and allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis during the past 12 months of 8,631 children (≤ 18 years) were obtained from the Third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, along with information on housing type and presence of an indoor smoker. The SaTScan program identified geographical case clusters of allergic diseases, and multiple logistic regression determined risk factors, including geographical case clusters, for each allergic disease.
Results:
Prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis was 3.2%, 13.2%, and 15.5%, respectively. Older children (10-18 years) were more likely to have allergic rhinitis whereas younger children were more likely to have atopic dermatitis. It is noteworthy that children living in areas of geographical risk for asthma and atopic dermatitis were more likely to develop the respective allergic disease than children living in other areas (odds ratio [OR] = 3.47 for asthma, and OR = 9.74 for atopic dermatitis).
Conclusions:
This study indicates that the areas in which children live may influence the development of certain allergic diseases. Implications include the need to assess geographical location of children with allergic diseases and to develop community-based preventive programs for children with allergic diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
01:28Asthma I: Introduction
02:06Allergic Reactions
01:24Drug Toxicity: Risk factors
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
01:30Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis