Phase I of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood has provided valuable information regarding international prevalence patterns and potential risk factors in the development of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema. However, in Phase I, only six African countries were involved (Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa and Ethiopia). Phase III, conducted 5–6 years later, enrolled 22 centres in 16 countries including the majority of the centres involved in Phase I and new centres in Morocco, Tunisia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Togo, Sudan, Cameroon, Gabon, Reunion Island and South Africa. There were considerable variations between the various centres of Africa in the prevalence of the main symptoms of the three conditions: wheeze (4.0–21.5%), allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (7.2–27.3%) and eczema (4.7–23.0%). There was a large variation both between countries and between centres in the same country. Several centres, including Cape Town (20.3%), Polokwane (18.0%), Reunion Island (21.5%), Brazzaville (19.9%), Nairobi (18.0%), Urban Ivory Coast (19.3%) and Conakry (18.6%) showed relatively high asthma symptom prevalences, similar to those in western Europe. There were also a number of centres showing high symptom prevalences for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (Cape Town, Reunion Island, Brazzaville, Eldoret, Urban Ivory Coast, Conakry, Casablanca, Wilays of Algiers, Sousse and Eldoret) and eczema (Brazzaville, Eldoret, Addis Ababa, Urban Ivory Coast, Conakry, Marrakech and Casablanca).

Objective The aim of this study was to provide a reliable instrument to assess evidence‐based practice (EBP) dimensions in French‐speaking dental students. To do so, a transcultural adaptation into French of the self‐administered KACE questionnaire (Knowledge, Attitude, Access and Confidence Evaluation) and the evaluation of its psychometric properties in a sample of French dental students and teachers were performed. The effects of individual and academic factors on student performance in the KACE were also investigated. Method Teachers and fourth‐year students completed once the translated KACE and fifth‐year students completed twice the questionnaire before and after an epidemiology course. Cronbach's alpha coefficient analysis, Kruskal‐Wallis and post hoc Dunn's tests, paired samples Wilcoxon tests and a generalised linear mixed model were performed to assess the psychometric properties (reliability, internal consistency, discriminant validity and responsiveness) of the questionnaire and to identify the factors associated with KACE scores, respectively. Results 186 participants completed the survey. Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.06 to 0.48 for Knowledge, 0.21 to 0.59 for Attitude, 0.42 to 0.76 for Access and 0.82 to 0.93 for Confidence. The discriminant value and sensitivity of the French KACE revealed significant differences amongst students and teachers and accurately identified the effect the training course had on the students who had completed it. Preparing for a residency programme or having received add‐on modules in science improved the students' performance in the test. Being female negatively impacted the KACE Confidence score. Conclusion This version of the KACE is appropriate to assess EBP dimensions in French dental students. Academic background and gender may affect test performance.

The results indicate that the online training course helped participants to increase self-efficacy and to provide interventions in institutions. This study could have implications for both undergraduate and postgraduate dental education in France.