Respiratory Symptoms and Asthma in Primary School Children in Kuala Lumpur

1 We aimed to study whether passive smoking is associated with respiratory ill health in primary school children in Hong Kong. 2 In this cross-sectional study, a standardised structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on respiratory symptoms, smokers in the household and smoking habit of the children. A random sample of 30 primary schools was included. Four classes were randomly selected for each school, one class each from each school year of primary 3-6. A total of 3964 children aged 8-13 years completed the questionnaire during October 1995-May 1996. The response rate was over 94%. 3 In 3480 children who had never smoked, after adjusting for gender, age, place of birth and living district, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were: (a) throat problems, 1.35 (1.08-1.68); (b) cough, 1.54 (1.28-1.84); (c) phlegm, 1.43 (1.21-1.70); (d) wheezing, 1.21 (0.89-1.41); (e) nose problems, 1.17 (1.02-1.35). The odds ratios increased with increasing number of smokers at home (P for trend < 0.001; except for wheezing, P=0.3). The odds ratios for having any of the above symptoms for one, two and three smokers at home were respectively 1.15 (0.99-1.34), 1.48 (1.16-1.88) and 2.03 (1.47-2.81); P for trend < 0.001. 4 We conclude that the results provide further evidence that passive smoking is a cause of respiratory ill health in school children in Hong Kong.

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Respiratory symptoms of primary school children living in a petrochemical polluted area in Taiwan

Pediatric Pulmonology ◽

10.1002/(sici)1099-0496(199805)25:5<299::aid-ppul2>3.0.co;2-e ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 25 (5) ◽

pp. 299-303 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Chun-Yuh Yang ◽

Jung-Der Wang ◽

Chang-Chuan Chan ◽

Jing-Shiang Hwang ◽

Pau-Chung Chen

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Polluted Area ◽

Primary School Children

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The Effects of Indoor Environmental Factors on Respiratory Illness in Primary School Children in Kuala Lumpur

International Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/ije/20.1.144 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 144-150 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

B H O AZIZI ◽

R L HENRY

Keyword(s):

Environmental Factors ◽

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Respiratory Illness ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Kuala Lumpur

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Comparative assessment of Industrial air pollutant exposure on pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms among primary school children, Kala Amb, Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh, India

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences ◽

10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20203436 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. 2909

Author(s):

Rashmi Kashyap ◽

Deepesh Barall ◽

Saligram Mazta

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Allergic Rhinitis ◽

Pulmonary Function ◽

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Industrial Area ◽

Forced Expiratory Volume ◽

Primary School Children ◽

The Impact

Background: Outdoor air quality has been connected with the prevalence of allergic respiratory infections in children. The impact of industrial pollution on respiratory health during early years of life in school children is a major concern. Pulmonary function tests can be used to assess the impact of air pollution and the degree of airway reactivity.Methods: A cross sectional comparative study was conducted between Primary school children aged 6 to 10 years in the industrial area and non-industrial area. Structured questionnaire based data was recorded from the students regarding respiratory symptoms. Spirometric parameters recorded were Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume at one second (FEV1), Maximal Midexpiratory flow (FEF 25-75%) and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR).Results: Data from 102 students from each of the two primary schools revealed mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) as 1.01±0.31 L/sec in industrial area and 1.12±0.34 L/sec in non-industrial area (p=0.01). Four or more episodes of allergic rhinitis in the last year were present in 24/84 (28.5%) children in the industrial area as compared to 8/90 (8.8%) in the non-industrial area (p=0.002). Point prevalence of allergic rhinitis was 36 (35.3%) students in industrial area and 22 (21.6%) students in non-industrial area (p=0.03).Conclusions: Industrial air pollution has impact on the lung function tests of school children in the age group of 6 to 10 years with significant difference in spirometric parameters of FEV1, frequency of episodes of allergic rhinitis and point prevalence of allergic rhinitis.

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