Environmental home - asthma and atopy in school children. / Ambiente domiciliar - Asma e Atopia em crianças escolares de Salvador, Bahia.

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2009

RESUMO

Introduction: The prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases has increased worldwide, children constituting the most affected age group. Environmental factors are involved, principally those present inside the home where children spend several hours during the day. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between environmental factors in the home and symptoms of asthma and atopy in school children. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional study was carried out between February and August 2007 as part of a longitudinal study evaluating risk factors for asthma and allergy in school children (SCAALA). The homes of 1311 children of 4 to 13 years of age were evaluated. Information was collected on the conditions of the homes using a standardized interview. The prevalence of asthma symptoms was investigated using symptom questions from the ISAAC study. Atopy was evaluated by skin test reactivity for common aeroallergens and serum levels of specific IgE antibodies. The surface area of the homes, temperature and environmental humidity were measured. Descriptive analysis was carried out and the frequency of the principal variables was shown in tables. The logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between the outcome variables and the principal co-variables, controlling for possible confounding factors. Results: Findings showed that the agglomeration of more than one child less than 14 years of age in the same bedroom represented a risk factor for current asthma (OR: 1.24; 95%CI: 1.04-1.48) and wheezing at any time during the childs life (OR: 1.25; 95%CI: 1.08-1.43). With respect to the amount of time the windows remained open, less than half the day was found to constitute a risk factor for wheezing in the previous 12 months (OR: 1.84; 95%CI: 1.08 3.12) and wheezing at any time in the childs life (OR: 1.66; 95%CI: 1.05 2.63). The presence of damp or mould in the house constituted a risk factor for rhinitis (OR: 1.72; 95%CI: 1.26 2.34). No risk factors were identified for asthma occurring at any time during the childs life, severe asthma or atopy. Conclusion: Risk factors for asthma symptoms consist of: the agglomeration of more than one child under 14 years of age in the same bedroom, and the amount of time the windows remain open to provide ventilation; and risk factors for rhinitis: the presence of damp or mould in the home. These results highlight the importance of a greater availability of space for each individual in the residence and better ventilation inside the home, as well as the need to maintain the physical structure of the home.

ASSUNTO(S)

poluição interna fatores ambientais indoor pollution environmental factors. characteristics of the home asma em crianças asthma in children características do domicilio epidemiologia

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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