C Y Yang1, M C Lin, K C Hwang. 1. School of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical College, Taiwan, ROC. chunyuh@cc.kmc.edu.tw
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between indoor environmental factors and childhood asthma in a subtropical area. DESIGN: A case-control study was performed using participants of a prevalence survey that included 165 schoolchildren with asthma and 165 age- and gender-matched control subjects. SETTING: The study was confined to 4,164 schoolchildren aged 6 to 12 years attending eight primary schools in Kaohsiung County rural municipalities who participated in a prevalence study concerning the health effects of the indoor environment. PARTICIPANTS: Cases (n=165) were defined as children with current asthma confirmed by a physician. Control subjects (n=165) were selected from the same school and class and matched for age and gender, and they did not have a previous diagnosis of asthma, history of physician-confirmed atopic diseases, persistent wheezing, cough, or phlegm, or reported chest illness, pneumonia, or bronchitis. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Information regarding the home environment was obtained using a structured written questionnaire, completed by the parents of the children. Of the many indoor environmental factors included in this study, only home dampness showed an association with asthma (odds ratio=2.65). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that dampness in the home is a new public health issue in subtropical areas.
STUDY OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between indoor environmental factors and childhood asthma in a subtropical area. DESIGN: A case-control study was performed using participants of a prevalence survey that included 165 schoolchildren with asthma and 165 age- and gender-matched control subjects. SETTING: The study was confined to 4,164 schoolchildren aged 6 to 12 years attending eight primary schools in Kaohsiung County rural municipalities who participated in a prevalence study concerning the health effects of the indoor environment. PARTICIPANTS: Cases (n=165) were defined as children with current asthma confirmed by a physician. Control subjects (n=165) were selected from the same school and class and matched for age and gender, and they did not have a previous diagnosis of asthma, history of physician-confirmed atopic diseases, persistent wheezing, cough, or phlegm, or reported chest illness, pneumonia, or bronchitis. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Information regarding the home environment was obtained using a structured written questionnaire, completed by the parents of the children. Of the many indoor environmental factors included in this study, only home dampness showed an association with asthma (odds ratio=2.65). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that dampness in the home is a new public health issue in subtropical areas.
Authors: Henry J Nuss; Laura L Hester; Mark A Perry; Collette Stewart-Briley; Valamar M Reagon; Pamela Collins Journal: J Sch Health Date: 2016-03 Impact factor: 2.118