Prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in 6–7-year-old schoolchildren from Luanda, Angola

Abstract

Background: Epidemiological data have shown that the prevalence of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema in children is still increasing, namely in Africa. However, there are no epidemiological studies on asthma or allergic diseases in Angolan children. Objective: To study the prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases in Angolan children. Methods: Descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study, using the ISAAC study methodology, in the province of Luanda, Angola in 6-7-yearold children. Forty-six (8.3%) public schools were randomly selected. Data were analysed using the SPSS Statistics version 24.0 software. Results: A total of 3080 children were studied. Results showed that the prevalence of asthma (wheezing in the previous 12 months) was 15.8%, that of rhinitis (sneezing, runny or blocked nose in the previous 12 months) was 19% and that of eczema (itchy skin lesions in the previous 12 months) was 22%, without differences between sexes. Rhinitis was associated with a higher number of episodes of wheezing episodes, disturbed sleep and night cough, in children with asthma. Rhinitis, eczema, Split-type air conditioning system, antibiotic intake in the child's first year of life, frequent intake (more than once per month) of paracetamol and active maternal smoking were associated with a higher risk of having asthma, whereas electrical cooking was associated with a protective effect. Conclusion: Asthma and allergic diseases are highly prevalent in children from Luanda. A strategy for preventive and control measures should be implemented.

Global Asthma Network Phase I study in Mexico: prevalence of asthma symptoms, risk factors and altitude associations—a cross-sectional study

“…These results agree with what has been published in a recent study carried out in children in Angola, where the ISAAC study was used as a reference and reported that asthma symptoms were significantly associated with paracetamol use (OR 3.94; 95% CI 2.29 to 6.81 p<0.001), antibiotic uptake in the first year of life (OR 2.54; 95% CI 1.97 to 3.29 p<0.001), allergic rhinitis symptoms (OR 8.74; 95% CI 7.06 to 10.82 p<0.001) and itchy rash in the past 12 months (OR 4.40; 95% CI 3.56 to 5.44 p<0.001). 20 The association between paracetamol intake and those conditions may be due to the depletion of glutathione, a key antioxidant of the airways, as proposed by Cheelo et al 21 On the other hand, associations between asthma outcomes in children and secondhand smoking have been described in the literature with exposures associated…”

Risk factors for asthma among schoolchildren who participated in a case-control study in urban Uganda

“…The few studies reported have suggested that current residence in urban areas is associated with a higher risk of asthma than rural residence (10,11). Other risk factors, similar to those in HICs, include maternal smoking (12,13), maternal history of asthma (14), childhood atopic sensitisation (11,15) and history of allergy (14,16). Previous reports suggest no association between biomass fuels and asthma risk (17,18), but increased asthma symptoms (18,19).…”

Molecular Mechanisms of Atopic Dermatitis Pathogenesis

“…Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a recurrent, chronic, non-infectious inflammatory dermatosis characterized by persistent itching of the skin. It occurs mainly in the pediatric population, with a frequency of up to ~20%in this group of patients [ 1 , 2 ]. The incidence has been increasing steadily for several decades, not only in countries with a higher degree ofurbanization and economy but also in developing countries [ 3 ].…”