Prevalence of childhood atopic diseases in the Western Province of Sri Lanka

Amarasekera, N.D.D.M.; Gunawardena, N.K.; Silva, N R de; Weerasinghe, Anura

doi:10.4038/cmj.v55i1.1700

Cited by 17 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Gampaha can be considered as a district with satisfactory health facilities and it is unlikely that an adolescent living with asthma, in Gampaha district would not have a diagnosis by a physician. The reported CA prevalence is lower compared to Karunasekara et al (2003) which showed an asthma prevalence of 23% and also to 17%, reported by Amarasekara et al (2010) [10,11]. It is important to note that the differences in case definitions used, age groups selected and sample selection could have influenced the disparity in results.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 63%

“…The prevalence of asthma among 5–11 year old children varies between 13% -25% [10,11] and asthma has been recognized as a major cause for school absence among primary school children [12]. The disease burden and risk factors for asthma in childhood have been studied in detail [10,11,13-16]. Information on impact of asthma on adolescents in Sri Lankan context is limited.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Genetic, familial and environmental correlates of asthma among early adolescents in Sri Lanka: a case control study

Danansuriya¹,

Rajapaksa

Weerasinghe

2015

World Allergy Organization Journal

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BackgroundDespite advances in management, the mortality and morbidity due to asthma are increasing globally. Identification of specific correlates in the local context is useful in disease management. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and to describe selected correlates of asthma among12-14 year old school children in a district in Sri Lanka.MethodA school based cross-sectional study was conducted using a self administered questionnaire. Multi-staged stratified cluster sampling was used to select 42 classes in grades 7, 8 and 9. “Current asthma” (CA)(case) was defined as ‘having Physician Diagnosed Asthma (PDA) and having had wheezing during the previous 12 months’. For each case, two healthy controls were selected from the same class to assess correlates. Information on correlates was collected by trained field midwives during home visits. Backward stepwise logistic regression model was used for analysis of correlates. Skin Prick Testing was carried out among asthmatics together with their healthy siblings using standard extracts of House Dust Mite (HDM), cockroach and Blomia. Ethical clearance was obtained from Ethical Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo.ResultsOut of 1483 subjects participated, 753 were females (50.8%). The prevalence rates for current wheezing (CW), ever wheezing (EW), current asthma (CA), and physician diagnosed asthma (PDA) were 16.7%, 19.4%, 10.7% and 14.5% respectively. A total of 158 CA cases were identified. Information on correlates of asthma was collected for 145 CA cases (97.9%) and for 285 controls (96.6%). The unconfounded predictors of having CA among adolescents in the present sample were; only child in the family (OR = 4.2, 95% CI: 1.7-9.9); first born of the family (OR = 2.6 95% CI: 1.3-5.2); presence of allergic rhinitis (OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.6-4.6); family history of asthma (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1-3.2); family history of allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-3.2); family history of eczema (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.0-3.2). Higher risk of sensitization to cockroach, HDM and Blomia was seen among asthmatics compared to healthy siblings.ConclusionA significant proportion of students reported to have asthma. Atopy and other genetic and environmental correlates should be considered as important correlates in asthma management among early adolescents in Sri Lanka.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 63%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic, familial and environmental correlates of asthma among early adolescents in Sri Lanka: a case control study

Danansuriya¹,

Rajapaksa

Weerasinghe

2015

World Allergy Organization Journal

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“…This cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence and associated factors of latex allergy among healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is a South Asian country with a comparably higher prevalence of allergic diseases in the recent past than other countries in the region [15].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of latex allergy among healthcare workers

Amarasekera

Rathnamalala²,

Samaraweera³

et al. 2010

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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Objectives: The use of latex gloves has increased by several folds in the recent past due to concerns about blood-borne infections. Data from Asian countries with regard to latex allergy is scarce. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of latex allergy among healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Sri Lanka. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among different categories of employees in the hospital. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data related to latex allergy. Results: A total of 524 employees was recruited and 62% responded to the questionnaire. Among them 49.2% wore gloves for more than 1 hour a day. Symptoms suggestive of latex allergy were reported by 53 (16.3%) subjects. A considerable proportion (11.4%) of workers had been suffering from latex allergy for more than 5 years. Nurses accounted for the highest prevalence for any job category, while the unit with the highest rate was the surgical ward. Duration in the service (OR = 1.006, P = 0.048) and wearing gloves for more than one hour a day (OR = 3.292, P = 0.004) were significant risk factors for latex allergy, but not atopy or family history of atopy. Seven employees noticed that they developed food allergy after assuming duties as healthcare personnel. Conclusions: Prevalence of latex allergy is high among healthcare workers in this study population. Environmental factors rather than genetic predisposition play the major role in the development of this condition.

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“…Atopic diseases include atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and asthma, and have been regarded as the most common chronic disorders of childhood and adolescence (Fagan et al, 2001;Stone 2003;Ait-Khaled et al, 2009;Amarasekera et al, 2010). The prevalence of atopic diseases rose gradually over the past several decades, and has been reaching epidemic proportions in both the developed and developing world.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%