Lianne Soller1, Moshe Ben-Shoshan2, Daniel W Harrington3, Megan Knoll4, Joseph Fragapane4, Lawrence Joseph5, Yvan St Pierre4, Sebastien La Vieille6, Kathi Wilson7, Susan J Elliott8, Ann E Clarke9. 1. Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Electronic address: liannesoller@gmail.com. 2. Division of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 3. Department of Geography, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. 4. Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 5. Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 6. Food Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 7. Department of Geography, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 8. Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. 9. Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Division of Rheumatology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that individuals of low education and/or income, new Canadians (immigrated <10 years ago), and individuals of Aboriginal identity may have fewer food allergies than the general population. However, given the difficulty in recruiting such populations (hereafter referred to as vulnerable populations), by using conventional survey methodologies, the prevalence of food allergy among these populations in Canada has not been estimated. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of food allergy among vulnerable populations in Canada, to compare with the nonvulnerable populations and to identify demographic characteristics predictive of food allergy. METHODS: By using 2006 Canadian Census data, postal codes with high proportions of vulnerable populations were identified and households were randomly selected to participate in a telephone survey. Information on food allergies and demographics was collected. Prevalence estimates were weighted by using Census data to account for the targeted sampling. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of food allergy. RESULTS: Of 12,762 eligible households contacted, 5734 households completed the questionnaire (45% response rate). Food allergy was less common among adults without postsecondary education versus those with postsecondary education (6.4% [95% CI, 5.5%-7.3%] vs 8.9% [95% CI, 7.7%-10%]) and new Canadians versus those born in Canada (3.2% [95% CI, 2.2%-4.3%] vs 8.2% [95% CI, 7.4%-9.1%]). There was no difference in prevalence between those of low and of high income or those with and without Aboriginal identity. CONCLUSION: Analysis of our data suggests that individuals of low education and new Canadians self-report fewer allergies, which may be due to genetics, environment, lack of appropriate health care, or lack of awareness of allergies, which reduces self-report.
BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that individuals of low education and/or income, new Canadians (immigrated <10 years ago), and individuals of Aboriginal identity may have fewer food allergies than the general population. However, given the difficulty in recruiting such populations (hereafter referred to as vulnerable populations), by using conventional survey methodologies, the prevalence of food allergy among these populations in Canada has not been estimated. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of food allergy among vulnerable populations in Canada, to compare with the nonvulnerable populations and to identify demographic characteristics predictive of food allergy. METHODS: By using 2006 Canadian Census data, postal codes with high proportions of vulnerable populations were identified and households were randomly selected to participate in a telephone survey. Information on food allergies and demographics was collected. Prevalence estimates were weighted by using Census data to account for the targeted sampling. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of food allergy. RESULTS: Of 12,762 eligible households contacted, 5734 households completed the questionnaire (45% response rate). Food allergy was less common among adults without postsecondary education versus those with postsecondary education (6.4% [95% CI, 5.5%-7.3%] vs 8.9% [95% CI, 7.7%-10%]) and new Canadians versus those born in Canada (3.2% [95% CI, 2.2%-4.3%] vs 8.2% [95% CI, 7.4%-9.1%]). There was no difference in prevalence between those of low and of high income or those with and without Aboriginal identity. CONCLUSION: Analysis of our data suggests that individuals of low education and new Canadians self-report fewer allergies, which may be due to genetics, environment, lack of appropriate health care, or lack of awareness of allergies, which reduces self-report.
Authors: Shannon E Majowicz; Samantha B Meyer; Sharon I Kirkpatrick; Julianne L Graham; Arshi Shaikh; Susan J Elliott; Leia M Minaker; Steffanie Scott; Brian Laird Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2016-06-08 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Darío Antolín-Amérigo; Luis Manso; Marco Caminati; Belén de la Hoz Caballer; Inmaculada Cerecedo; Alfonso Muriel; Mercedes Rodríguez-Rodríguez; José Barbarroja-Escudero; María José Sánchez-González; Beatriz Huertas-Barbudo; Melchor Alvarez-Mon Journal: Clin Mol Allergy Date: 2016-02-17
Authors: Francisco Cabrera-Chávez; Cecilia Ivonne Rodríguez-Bellegarrigue; Oscar Gerardo Figueroa-Salcido; Jesús Aristeo Lopez-Gallardo; Jesús Gilberto Arámburo-Gálvez; Marcela de Jesús Vergara-Jiménez; Mónica Lizzette Castro-Acosta; Norberto Sotelo-Cruz; Martina Hilda Gracia-Valenzuela; Noé Ontiveros Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-11-02 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Elissa M Abrams; Elinor Simons; Jennifer Gerdts; Orla Nazarko; Beatrice Povolo; Jennifer L P Protudjer Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2020-08-01 Impact factor: 3.295