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The prevalence of allergic diseases in primary school children in Edirne, Turkey
Z T Selçuk1, T Caglar, T Enünlü
1Hacettepe University, School of Medicine, Department of Chest Diseases, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Allergic diseases impact many children in Edirne, Turkey. Reducing indoor tobacco smoke and animal contact is key for prevention, especially for those with a family history of atopy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Allergic diseases pose a significant health burden on children, with rising asthma-related morbidity and mortality.
- Understanding the prevalence and contributing factors of allergic disorders is crucial for resource allocation and intervention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases in primary school children in Edirne, Turkey.
- To investigate the contribution of various risk factors, including passive smoking and atopic family history, to allergic diseases in this population.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire-based survey was administered to parents of children aged 7-12 in Edirne's primary schools.
- Data collected included cumulative and current prevalences of allergic diseases and exposure to risk factors like passive smoking, family history of atopy, animal contact, and breastfeeding.
Main Results:
- The study included 5412 children, with cumulative and current prevalences of all allergic diseases at 24.6% and 9.9%, respectively.
- Atopic heredity was the most significant risk factor. Indoor tobacco smoke exposure and animal contact were significant risk factors for wheezing and asthma.
- Current prevalences were lower than those previously reported in Ankara, Turkey.
Conclusions:
- Allergic diseases represent a substantial health issue for primary school children in Edirne.
- Reducing exposure to indoor tobacco smoke and animal contact are important preventive measures, particularly for children with a family history of atopy.
- Further research is needed to explore environmental influences on the differing prevalences observed between Ankara and Edirne.
Background:
Allergic diseases present a major health burden for children as shown by the rising morbidity and increased mortality from asthma. Information on the prevalences of allergic disorders and contributing factors as well will help to establish feasible measures to change this trend, and more efficient assignment of the limited health resources.
Objective:
To assess the prevalences of asthma and other allergic diseases and the contribution of various risk factors in primary school children in Edirne, Turkey.
Methods:
Children aged 7 to 12 in primary schools in the municipality and 24 villages of Edirne were surveyed via a questionnaire completed by the parents. The cumulative (lifetime) and current (last 12 months) prevalences of allergic diseases and the presence of passive smoking, atopic family history, animal contact and breast-feeding in infancy were determined.
Results:
A total of 5412 children (70.1% from the metropolitan and 29.9% from the rural area) were enrolled. The cumulative and current prevalences of all allergic diseases were 24.6% and 9.9% respectively. The cumulative (lifetime) prevalences of bronchial asthma, wheezing, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis were 16.4%, 18.9%, 12.3% and 2.2%, and the current (last 12 months) prevalences were 5.6%, 5.8%, 4.5% and 0.9% respectively. Three-fourths of the children were exposed to tobacco smoke at home. Atopic heredity appeared the most prominent risk factor for any allergic disorder. Neither age, breast-feeding nor place of habitation affected the occurrence of allergic disorders. Animal contact was a significant risk factor for asthma and wheezing (adjusted odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for current prevalences are 1.38 (CI = 1.04-1.83) and 1.35 (CI = 1.02-1.78) respectively), exposure to indoor tobacco smoke for wheezing (OR = 1.52, CI = 1.10-2.09), and male gender for asthma (OR = 1.50, CI = 1.16-1.93). Current prevalences for all allergic diseases were significantly lower than those previously reported in Ankara, Turkey.
Conclusions:
Allergic diseases are a major health burden for primary school children in Edirne, Turkey. Although atopic heredity appears to be the foremost important risk factor, reduction of exposure to indoor tobacco smoke and animal contact, especially for those with atopic family history, are important preventive measures. The impact of environmental exposures on distinguishing prevalences of allergic diseases in Ankara and Edirne should be further investigated.