A Lim1, M I Asher2, E Ellwood2, P Ellwood2, D J Exeter3. 1. Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, The University of Auckland, New Zealand. Electronic address: alim040@aucklanduni.ac.nz. 2. Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, The University of Auckland, New Zealand. 3. Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Population Health, The University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Global variations in the prevalence of asthma and related diseases have suggested that environmental factors are causative, and that factors associated with urbanisation are of particular interest. A range of definitions for 'urban' and 'rural' have been used in articles on asthma and related diseases, making it difficult to assess their importance as aetiological factors. This study sets out to examine such definitions used in the literature. METHODS: Medical and social science databases were searched for articles that made distinctions of 'urban' and/or 'rural' in the context of asthma and related diseases. RESULTS: The search identified 73 articles and categorised four types of definitions. A specific definition of urban or rural was used in 19 (26%) articles. Nine (12%) articles used non-specific and/or administrative definitions. There were 23 (32%) articles that described locations as 'urban' or 'rural' but did not indicate if the description defined 'urban' or 'rural'. Distinctions were made between urban and rural locations without a description or definition in 22 (30%) articles. CONCLUSIONS: There is substantial variation in the definitions of 'urban' and 'rural' in articles regarding asthma and related diseases. It would be advantageous to have clearer and more precise definitions of 'urban' and 'rural' which could facilitate aetiological research and also comparisons between locations, especially in international studies.
BACKGROUND: Global variations in the prevalence of asthma and related diseases have suggested that environmental factors are causative, and that factors associated with urbanisation are of particular interest. A range of definitions for 'urban' and 'rural' have been used in articles on asthma and related diseases, making it difficult to assess their importance as aetiological factors. This study sets out to examine such definitions used in the literature. METHODS: Medical and social science databases were searched for articles that made distinctions of 'urban' and/or 'rural' in the context of asthma and related diseases. RESULTS: The search identified 73 articles and categorised four types of definitions. A specific definition of urban or rural was used in 19 (26%) articles. Nine (12%) articles used non-specific and/or administrative definitions. There were 23 (32%) articles that described locations as 'urban' or 'rural' but did not indicate if the description defined 'urban' or 'rural'. Distinctions were made between urban and rural locations without a description or definition in 22 (30%) articles. CONCLUSIONS: There is substantial variation in the definitions of 'urban' and 'rural' in articles regarding asthma and related diseases. It would be advantageous to have clearer and more precise definitions of 'urban' and 'rural' which could facilitate aetiological research and also comparisons between locations, especially in international studies.
Authors: Elizabeth T Jensen; Kate Hoffman; Nicholas J Shaheen; Robert M Genta; Evan S Dellon Journal: Am J Gastroenterol Date: 2014-03-25 Impact factor: 10.864
Authors: Demetris Lamnisos; Nicos Middleton; Nikoletta Kyprianou; Michael A Talias Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-08-15 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Alejandro Rodriguez; Elizabeth Brickley; Laura Rodrigues; Rebecca Alice Normansell; Mauricio Barreto; Philip J Cooper Journal: Thorax Date: 2019-07-05 Impact factor: 9.102