Association between environmental factors and current asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema symptoms in school-aged children from Oropeza Province – Bolivia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundIn recent years, the prevalence of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema symptoms in childhood has considerably increased in developing countries including Bolivia, possibly due to changes in lifestyle, environmental and domestic factors. This study aimed to assess the association between environmental factors and asthma, rhinoconjuctivitis and eczema symptoms in school-aged children from Oropeza Province in Chuquisaca, Bolivia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed in 2340 children attending the fifth grade in 36 randomly selected elementary schools in Oropeza province. The prevalence of symptoms was determined using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. Environmental factors were assessed by the ISAAC environmental questionnaire including questions related to exposure to pets, farm animals, indoor and outdoor pollution, presence of disease vectors at home and precarious household conditions. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were adjusted for age, sex and place of living.ResultsThirty seven percent of children reported that at least one of their parents smoked at home. Wood or coal was used as cooking fuel in 19% of the homes and 29% reported intense truck traffic on the street where they lived. With respect to hygiene conditions, 86% reported exposure to dogs, 59% exposure to cats and 36% regular contact to farm animals. More than one precarious household condition was reported by 8% of children. In the adjusted model exposure to dog (adjusted OR 1.4; CI 95% 1.0-1.9), cat (1.2; 1.0-1.5), farm animals (1.5; 1.2-1.8); intense truck traffic (1.3; 1.0-1.6), parents smoking at home (1.2; 1.0-1.5), presence of disease vectors at home (fourth quartile vs. first quartile: 1.6; 1.2-2.3) and two or more precarious household conditions (1.5; 1.0-2.2) were significantly associated with rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms. The associations were similar for asthma and eczema symptoms; however it did not reach the level of statistical significance for all items.ConclusionOur results support previous findings reported for poor communities especially in Latin America, showing that lower hygiene conditions did not have protective effect against asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema symptoms.

Environmental Determinants of Bronchial Asthma among Saudi School Children in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

“…Moreover, the SPT result regarding dog hair confirmed this finding. These findings are in accordance with previous studies in Bolivia [ 7 ] and Senegal [ 22 ]. The role of exposure and sensitization to dog’s allergens is unclear.…”

“…The causes of the evolving epidemic are not entirely understood. Some suggestions are related to changes in lifestyle and environmental exposures [ 7 , 8 ] that trigger the immune system in early stages of life [ 9 ]. There is some evidence of an association between environment factors such as air pollution [ 10 ], indoor and outdoor allergens, and pollutants and the initiation and aggravation of asthma [ 1 , 11 , 12 ].…”

Prevalence and associated factors of wheezing illnesses of children aged three to five years living in under-served settlements of the Colombo Municipal Council in Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional study

“…The global prevalence differences of asthma and wheezing are diminishing. As there is an observed increase in prevalence in areas where prevalence was previously low, the global burden of asthma and wheezing, however, continues to increase [ 1 – 3 ]; with the most significant increase noted among children between one to five years [ 4 , 5 ]. Due to difficulties in demonstrating airflow limitation [ 6 , 7 ] in young children, it is recommended to avoid the term ‘asthma’ in preschoolers with wheezing and airway inflammatory reactions and to use the term ‘wheezing illnesses’ instead [ 6 , 8 ].…”

Diet and Current Asthma Symptoms in School-Aged Children from Oropeza Province -Chuquisaca, Bolivia

“…In Bolivia, considerable sociocultural and educational differences have been reported, especially between urban and rural areas. The large difference found for current asthma symptoms between WQ (17%) and VQ (6%) could be explained by the lack of knowledge, especially in rural areas) of the written terms causing over reporting of symptoms as has been previously suggested [14,32]. But, on the other hand the video scene could explore presence of more severe asthma symptoms in comparison with WQ [19,33].…”

“…Methodology of this study has been reported previously [14,15]. A number of 43 educational establishments were selected randomly and invited to participate from a total of 185 schools listed in the Regional Education Service (SEDUCA -Chuquisaca).…”