Asthma and allergic diseases in schoolchildren: third cross‐sectional survey in the same primary school in Ankara, Turkey

Abstract

We investigated prevalence and determinants of asthma and allergic diseases in a cross-sectional survey of schoolchildren aged 6-14 in 2002. This was the third of a series of cross-sectional surveys, conducted in 1992 and 1997, in the same school in Ankara, Turkey. Questionnaire including information on house characteristics, dietary habits, past and current exposures and diseases were distributed to 1064 children (523 boys, 541 girls) and filled by the parents at home. Percentage of children having a pet was significantly higher (1992: 7.9, 1997: 22.9, 2002: 21), but that of passive smoking was significantly lower (1992: 74, 1997: 64, 2002: 64.1) in 1997 and 2002 when compared with 1992. Current prevalence percentage of asthma (1992: 8.3, 1997: 9.8, 2002: 6.4), wheeze (1992: 11.9, 1997: 13.3, 2002: 6.4), hay fever (1992: 15.4, 1997: 14.1, 2002: 7.2), and eczema (1992: 4, 1997: 4.3, 2002: 1.8) were significantly lower in 2002 compared with 1992. Multiple logistic regression analysis model for current wheeze included ingestion of cow's milk (no regular ingestion: reference, ORs and 95% CIs, <1 glass/day: 0.5, 0.3-1.0; at least 1 glass/day: 0.3, 0.2-0.7), ingestion of red meat (2.2, 1.2-3.8), and currently holding a dog (6.1, 1.6-23.4). Multiple logistic regression analysis model for current hay fever included ingestion of red meat (1.8, 1.1-2.9) and father's education (none of the parents finished secondary school: reference, secondary school to university: 0.5, 0.2-1.0). Our findings suggested that current prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases decreased among schoolchildren in Ankara, in the last 10 yr, and ingestion of milk and red meat could have a role in the occurrence of asthma and hay fever. Detailed assessment of dietary habits is required to test this hypothesis.

Minimum prick test panel for adult patients with asthma and rhinitis in Ankara, Turkey

“…Although there is a trend towards increasing number of pet ownership in our country [29,30], it is still lower than European countries, where these sensitization rates change between 18.4% and 49.3% for cat and 16.1% and 56.0% for dog [6].…”

Asthma and Allergic Diseases in School Children from 1992 to 2007 with Incidence Data

“…In a series of cross-sectional studies, in 5 years' intervals, since 1992 in the same school in Ankara, Turkey, we observed a negative trend for prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases in 2002 (8).…”

Association between Prenatal and Postnatal Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Allergies in Young Children

“…Children have been identified as a group sensitive to ETS because their respiratory and immune systems are not fully developed (2,3). The associations between ETS exposure and allergic diseases in children have been extensively investigated (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14); in most, but not all, studies, exposure to ETS is positively associated with wheeze, asthma, or eczema (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10). On the other hand, epidemiological evidence of the effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy on allergic diseases is inconsistent (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26); studies have shown positive (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24), inverse (24), or no associations (21,(24)(25)(26) betwe...…”