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Prevalence of Asthma and Its Associating Environmental Factors among 6–12-Year-Old Schoolchildren in a Metropolitan Environment—A Cross-Sectional, Questionnaire-Based Study

Author

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  • Dávid Molnár

    (Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, 58 Tűzoltó Street, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
    Medical Centre, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Hungarian Defence Forces, 109-111 Podmaniczky Street, H-1062 Budapest, Hungary
    Dávid Molnár & Gabriella Gálffy contributed equally to this work.)

  • Gabriella Gálffy

    (Pest County Pulmonology Hospital, Törökbálint, 70 Munkácsy Mihály Street, H-2045 Torokbalint, Hungary
    Dávid Molnár & Gabriella Gálffy contributed equally to this work.)

  • Alpár Horváth

    (Pest County Pulmonology Hospital, Törökbálint, 70 Munkácsy Mihály Street, H-2045 Torokbalint, Hungary
    Medical Department of Chiesi Hungary Ltd., 2 Dunavirág Street, H-1138 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Gábor Tomisa

    (Medical Department of Chiesi Hungary Ltd., 2 Dunavirág Street, H-1138 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Gábor Katona

    (Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Heim Pál National Pediatric Institute, 86 Üllői Street, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Andor Hirschberg

    (Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Saint John’s Hospital, 1-3 Diós árok Street, H-1125 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Györgyi Mezei

    (1st Department of Paediatrics, Division of Allergo-Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, 53–54 Bókay János Street, H-1083 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Monika Sultész

    (Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Heim Pál National Pediatric Institute, 86 Üllői Street, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary)

Abstract

We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of asthma and its associating environmental factors within a 6–12-year-old population. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted in primary schools located in the capital of Hungary; 3836 eligible parent-reported questionnaires were evaluated. Besides the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) phase three core questions for asthma, the survey also assessed various potential risk factors. We introduced the umbrella term cumulative asthma as the union of physician-diagnosed asthma and current wheezing to estimate the lifetime prevalence of asthma. Current wheezing and physician-diagnosed asthma showed a frequency of 9.5% and 6.3%, respectively. They contributed to a cumulative asthma prevalence of 12.6% among the sampled population, with a girl-boy percentage of 37.4% to 62.6%. Air-pollution and weedy areas were associated with greater risk for asthma, while a suburban residence showed lesser odds. Indoor smoking, visible mold, and keeping a dog were defined as risk factors for asthma, while the presence of plants in the bedroom and pet rodents were associated with lower odds ratios. The consumption of fast food, beverages containing additives and margarine were significantly higher in asthmatics, while we found frequent sport activity and cereal intake associated with lower odds ratios for asthma. In this urban environment, we identified an increased asthma prevalence compared to some previously published studies, but the cross-sectional design and the different methodology did not permit us to draw timeframe-dependent conclusions.

Suggested Citation

  • Dávid Molnár & Gabriella Gálffy & Alpár Horváth & Gábor Tomisa & Gábor Katona & Andor Hirschberg & Györgyi Mezei & Monika Sultész, 2021. "Prevalence of Asthma and Its Associating Environmental Factors among 6–12-Year-Old Schoolchildren in a Metropolitan Environment—A Cross-Sectional, Questionnaire-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:24:p:13403-:d:706538
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Haneen Khreis & Mark J. Nieuwenhuijsen, 2017. "Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Childhood Asthma: Recent Advances and Remaining Gaps in the Exposure Assessment Methods," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-19, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Agata Wypych-Ślusarska & Karolina Krupa-Kotara & Ewa Niewiadomska, 2022. "Social Inequalities: Do They Matter in Asthma, Bronchitis, and Respiratory Symptoms in Children?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-13, November.
    2. Agata Wypych-Ślusarska & Martina Grot & Maria Kujawińska & Maciej Nigowski & Karolina Krupa-Kotara & Klaudia Oleksiuk & Joanna Głogowska-Ligus & Mateusz Grajek, 2022. "Respiratory Symptoms, Allergies, and Environmental Exposures in Children with and without Asthma," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-11, September.

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