Prevalence and Risk Factors of Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis in Elementary School Children in Jinan-Gun / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis in rural elementary school children. METHODS: Children in 12 elementary schools in Jinan-gun, Jeollabuk-do, a typical rural area in Korea, were enrolled. We conducted cross-sectional survey using a Korean version of International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 947 questionnaires out of 1,062 were completed and the response rate was 89.1%. The symptom prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) in the last 12 months was 7.4% and 28.1%. The prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma and AR was 7.2% and 22.2%. Male, passive smoking, visible mold at home, and use of antibiotics during infancy more than 3 times were associated with higher prevalence of asthma diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30 to 4.26; aOR 2.49, 95% CI 1.38 to 4.48; aOR 2.19, 95% CI 1.23 to 3.89; and aOR 8.45, 95% CI 4.23 to 16.59). Parental history of allergic diseases, children without siblings, use of antibiotics during infancy more than 3 times were associated with higher prevalence of AR (aOR 4.89, 95% CI 3.37 to 7.10; aOR 5.20, 95% CI 2.38 to 11.35; and aOR 2.39, 95% CI 1.36 to 4.19). CONCLUSION: In Jinan-gun, the symptom prevalence of asthma and AR in the last 12 months was 7.4% and 28.1%. The environmental factors such as passive smoking, visible mold at home, use of antibiotics during infancy and number of siblings are associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis.