ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Assessment of the prevalence of smoking habits, environmental tobacco exposure, and asthma-related symptoms in a cross-sectional study in schoolchildren aged 14-15 years in Terrassa (Barcelona). METHODS: A sample of 793 students from 21 schools answered a self-administered questionnaire including information on smoking habits, environmental tobacco exposure and asthma-related symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence of smoking daily was 16.3% (CI 13. 7-18.9); no difference between sexes were observed, while the proportion of occasional smokers was higher among girls. Age, maternal habit, friend's smoking habit and having older siblings were independently associated to the schoolchildren's smoking habits. Overall, 13% reported a positive history of wheezing and 20.3% of nocturnal cough during the previous year. Smoking daily and passive smoking were positively associated with the prevalence of asthma-related symptoms, but not with previous diagnosis of asthma. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of smoking among adolescents seems to have levelled off. There is some trend toward a higher prevalence among girls than among boys. The presence of smoking in the social environment is a strong predictor of the smoking habits among schoolchildren. Both active smoking and environmental exposure to tobacco smoke are associated to increased asthma-related symptoms.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior , Asthma/etiology , Respiratory Sounds , Smoking/epidemiology , Tobacco Smoke Pollution , Adolescent , Adult , Asthma/diagnosis , Cough/etiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Family , Female , Humans , Male , Odds Ratio , Regression Analysis , Sex Factors , Smoking/adverse effects , Spain/epidemiology , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Objetivos: Estudio de la prevalencia del hábito de fumar, la exposición pasiva al humo del tabaco, y los síntomas y los antecedentes relacionados con el asma en la población escolar de 14-15 años de Terrassa (Barcelona). Métodos: En total 793 alumnos de 21 escuelas de Terrassa respondieron un cuestionario que incluía información sobre el hábito de fumar, la exposición ambiental al tabaco, factores del entorno familiar y personal, síntomas respiratorios y antecedentes de asma. Resultados: La prevalencia de fumadores habituales (diariamente) fue del 16,3 por ciento (13,7-18,9), similar en ambos sexos. La edad, el hábito de los amigos y de la madre y tener hermanos mayores se asociaron de manera independiente al hábito de fumar. Durante el último año el 13 por ciento de los escolares presentaron sibilancia y 20,3 por ciento tos nocturna. El hábito de fumar diariamente y la exposición pasiva al tabaco se asociaron positivamente a la prevalencia de síntomas pero no al diagnóstico previo de asma. Conclusiones: Se observa cierta estabilización del hábito de fumar en los adolescentes, con tendencia a una mayor prevalencia en el sexo femenino. La presencia de tabaco en el entorno social y familiar se asocia a la presencia del hábito de fumar regularmente en los adolescentes. Tanto el hábito activo como la exposición pasiva al tabaco se asocian a un incremento de la sintomatología relacionada con el asma (AU)
Subject(s)
Adult , Adolescent , Male , Female , Humans , Tobacco Smoke Pollution , Respiratory Sounds , Adolescent Behavior , Tobacco Use Disorder , Spain , Sex Factors , Odds Ratio , Surveys and Questionnaires , Regression Analysis , Asthma , Cough , Cross-Sectional Studies , FamilyABSTRACT
A non-random field test has been run for ascertaining the effectiveness of a cavity prevention program among all the public school students in Mataró. The group under study was comprised of 288 elementary school children (5-6 years of age), on whom rinses of 0.2% FNa were used every two weeks, and the control group, comprised of 167 children, students at private schools not participating in the program. Both groups have been monitored for 7 years (up to the 8th grade) and the number of their cavities compared. A 24% reduction in the net Annual Cavity Rate (broken-down according to sex) has been observed. At the end of the study, only 5% of the control group was Cavity free, as compared to 17.3% of those who had used groups used the fluoride rinses. The differences between the two groups remain statistically significant on taking into account the effect of other factors such as the sex of the individuals in question and some personal care habits.
Subject(s)
Dental Caries/prevention & control , Fluorides/therapeutic use , Mouthwashes/therapeutic use , Child , Dental Caries/epidemiology , Dental Caries Activity Tests , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Spain/epidemiologyABSTRACT
In the area of El Maresme (Barcelona), it was studied the correlation between climatic agents and episodes of bronchospasm in children from 0 to 14 years old, in the emergency hospital unit during 1985. In the 735 visits that were studied, there were remarked seasonal variation, with predominance of cases during autumn, and descent during summer. The episodes presented a simple correlation, statistically significant with temperatures and the wind's direction; the climatic agents represented a very low percentage in the variation observed.
