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The relationship between prevalence of asthma and environmental factors in rural households
I Noorhassim1, K G Rampal, J H Hashim
1Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala, Lumpur.
Insights
This study found that childhood asthma prevalence was 6.26%, with higher rates in males and older children. Parental asthma history significantly correlated with childhood asthma, unlike environmental factors.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Chronic respiratory diseases pose a significant health burden in children.
- Asthma is a common chronic respiratory condition in pediatric populations.
- Understanding risk factors for childhood asthma is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and bronchial asthma in children aged 1-2 years.
- To investigate the relationship between asthma and environmental factors.
- To explore the association between childhood asthma and family history of asthma.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 1007 children aged 1-2 years from a padi farming area.
- Data collection included assessing chronic respiratory symptoms and doctor-diagnosed bronchial asthma.
- Statistical analysis examined correlations with environmental exposures and parental/grandparental asthma history.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of at least one chronic respiratory symptom was 12.81%.
- Doctor-diagnosed bronchial asthma prevalence was 6.26%, higher in males (6.95%) and 11-12 year olds (8.9%).
- No significant association was found between asthma and exposure to cigarette smoke, mosquito coils, or wood stoves; however, parental/grandparental asthma history showed a significant relationship.
Conclusions:
- Childhood asthma is prevalent in the studied population, with a notable influence of genetic predisposition.
- Environmental factors like smoke, mosquito coils, and wood stoves were not significantly linked to asthma in this cohort.
- Family history is a key indicator for assessing asthma risk in children, highlighting the importance of genetic counseling and early monitoring.
Abstract:
A cross sectional study was conducted among 1007 children aged 1-2 years, from padi farming area. The percentage of male children was 51.4%. The prevalence of at least one of the chronic respiratory symptoms was 12.81%, and the prevalence of chronic cough, chronic sputum, wheezing and bronchial asthma as diagnosed by doctors were 9.33%, 3.87% 5.36% and 3.38% respectively. The overall prevalence of bronchial asthma was 6.26%. The prevalence of asthma was highest among children aged 11-12 years (8.9%) and higher among males (6.95%). No significant relationship was found between the prevalence of either chronic respiratory disease symptoms of bronchial asthma, and selected environmental factors, namely exposure to cigarette smoke, use of mosquito coil and wood stove. However there was a significant relationship between prevalence of asthma in children and history of asthma among parents and grandparents.