Assessment of Respiratory Health Symptoms and Asthma in Children near a Drying Saline Lake

Residents of the Imperial Valley, a rural, agricultural border region in California, have raised concerns over high rates of pediatric asthma symptoms. There is an urgent need to understand the influences and predictors of children’s respiratory health in Imperial Valley. We assessed the impacts of sociodemographic, lifestyle, and household factors on children’s respiratory health and asthma prevalence by administering a survey to parents of elementary school children (n = 357) in northern Imperial Valley. We observed an overall asthma prevalence of 22.4% and respiratory symptoms and allergies were widely reported, including wheezing (35.3%), allergies (36.1%), bronchitic symptoms (28.6%), and dry cough (33.3%). Asthmatics were significantly more likely to report respiratory symptoms, but high rates of wheezing, allergies, and dry cough were observed among nonasthmatics, suggesting the possibility for underdiagnosis of respiratory impairment in our school-age population. Having an asthmatic mother and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke were also associated with greater odds of asthma. Our findings provide evidence to support community concerns about children’s respiratory health, while also suggesting that household and demographic characteristics have limited explanatory power for assessing asthma in this population. This work provides critical baseline data with which to evaluate local environmental factors and their influence on asthma and respiratory symptoms.

Download Full-text

Assessment of Respiratory Symptoms and Asthma Prevalence in a U.S.-Mexico Border Region

Archives of Environmental Health An International Journal ◽

10.3200/aeoh.58.3.156-162 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 58 (3) ◽

pp. 156-162 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

George A. Stephen ◽

Cheryl Mcrill ◽

Maura D. Mack ◽

Mary Kay O'Rourke ◽

Timothy J. Flood ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Border Region ◽

Asthma Prevalence ◽

Mexico Border

Download Full-text

TIME COURSE OF SYMPTOMATIC MANIFESTATIONS IN CHILDREN WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHNA RESIDING IN KHARKIV REGION ACCORDING TO THE ISAAC STUDY

Inter Collegas ◽

10.35339/ic.5.2.69-72 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 69-72

Author(s):

V. Klymenko ◽

Y. Karpushenko ◽

O. Kozhyna

Keyword(s):

Early Diagnosis ◽

Phase I ◽

Bronchial Asthma ◽

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Time Course ◽

Asthma Prevalence ◽

School Age ◽

Asthma Diagnosis ◽

First Time ◽

Respiratory Complaints

TIME COURSE OF SYMPTOMATIC MANIFESTATIONS IN CHILDREN WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHNA RESIDING IN KHARKIV REGION ACCORDING TO THE ISAAC STUDYKlymenko V.A.,.Karpushenko Y.V., Kozhyna O.S.For the first time in Ukraine phase IV of the International ISAAC program was realized in Kharkiv Region in 2015-2017. 6330 of questionnaires were distributed. 6146 (97%) of schoolchildren took part in the program. 12.8% of them had respiratory complaints, 13.2% of children at the age from 6 to 7 years, 12.4% of children aged from 13 to 14 years old. A low level of asthma diagnosis in the region was observed. Only 0.5% of children in population were diagnosed with asthma. These results were compared with the data from phase I of ISAAC (V.A. Ognev, 1998) to determine the time course of respiratory symptoms incidence: over the last 19 years the prevalence of respiratory symptoms has decreased by 1.6 times in children of junior school age and by 2 times in adolescents. Significant fluctuations in wheezing prevalence in different districts of Kharkiv Region were revealed: from 5.5% (Barvinkivs’kyi District) to 14% (Derhachivs’kyi District). The study is aimed to improve early diagnosis of asthma in children.Keywords: children, bronchial asthma, prevalence, Kharkiv region, ISAACДинаміка симптоматичних проявів бронхіальної астми у дітей Харківської області за даними дослідження ISAACКлименко В. А., Карпушенко Ю.В., Кожина О.С.Вперше в Україні в Харківському регіоні в 2015-2017 роках виконано IV фаза Міжнародної програми ISAAC. Роздано 6330 анкет; взяли участь в програмі - 6146 (97%) школярів. Респіраторні скарги виявлені у 12,8%: серед дітей 6-7 років - 13,2%, 13-14 років - 12,4%. Відзначено низький рівень діагностики астми в регіоні - діагноз встановлений у 0,5% дітей у популяції. Для виявлення динаміки поширеності респіраторних симптомів проведено порівняння з даними І фази ISAAC (В.А. Огнєв, 1998) - за останні 19 років розповсюдженість респіраторних симптомів знизилася у 1,6 разів серед дітей молодшого шкільного віку, у 2 рази - в підлітковому віці. Виявлено значні коливання в розповсюдженості wheezing в різних районах Харківської області - від 5,5% (Барвінківський район) до 14% (Дергачівський район). Дослідження спрямовано на поліпшення ранньої діагностики астми у дітей.Ключові слова: діти, бронхіальна астма, поширеність, Харківська область, ISAAC Динамика симптоматических проявлений бронхиальной астмы у детей Харьковской области по данным исследования ISAACКлименко В. А., Карпушенко Ю.В., Кожина О.С.Впервые в Украине в Харьковском регионе в 2015-2017 годах выполнена IV фаза Международной программы ISAAC. Роздано 6330 анкет; приняли участие в программе – 6146 (97 %) школьников. Респираторные жалобы выявлены у 12,8 %: среди детей 6-7 лет - 13,2 %, 13-14 лет – 12,4%. Отмечен низкий уровень диагностики астмы в регионе – диагноз установлен у 0,5 % детей в популяции. Для выявления динамики распространения респираторных симптомов проведено сравнение с данными І фазы ISAAC (В.А. Огнев, 1998) - за последние 19 лет распространенность wheezing снизилась в 1,6 раз среди детей младшего школьного возраста, в 2 раза – у подростков. Выявлены значительные колебания в распространенности wheezing в разных районах Харьковской области - от 5,5 % (Барвенковский район) до 14 % (Дергачевский район). Исследование направлено на улучшение ранней диагностики астмы у детей.Ключевые слова: дети, бронхиальная астма, распространенность, Харьковская область, ISAAC.

Download Full-text

Prevalence of bronchial asthma and respiratory symptoms in a group of students from grodno. An example of standardized epidemiological survey

HIGHER SCHOOL’S PULSE ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0003.3167 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 4-10

Author(s):

Oleg Ahiyevets

Keyword(s):

Prevalence Rate ◽

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

Epidemiological Survey ◽

Population Based ◽

Electronic Version ◽

Asthma Prevalence ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Asthmatic Bronchitis ◽

Low Prevalence

Introduction: Due to an insufficient knowledge of the real asthma prevalence rate among children and adults in Belarus, we conducted a population-based respiratory health survey.Aim of the study: The study aimed at estimating the prevalence rate of asthma and major respiratory symptoms among students of the Grodno Region (Western Belarus).Material and methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 and included 833 students aged 20-40 (young adults). Physician-diagnosed respiratory diseases and symptoms were ascertained using electronic version of the ISAAC questionnaire (web LimeSurvey).Results: The prevalence of asthma was 2.88% (physician-diagnosed). The obstructive (asthmatic) bronchitis (without established diagnosis of asthma) was found in 5.04% of the respondents. A chronic respiratory symptom occurring in the past 12 months and suggestive of asthma included attacks of dyspnea at rest, cough (5.88%) or in previous periods (8.88%), and wheezing in the chest (one of the most characteristic symptoms of asthma) - 8.04%, which may indicate a higher prevalence of asthma among patients. Wheezing and wheeze without diagnosed asthma, colds or infections were reported in a small number of cases (about 1.0%). 32 respondents (3.84%) can be attributed to the group of risk for asthma due to the presence of specific respiratory symptoms.Conclusions: The findings show a low prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma among students of Western Belarus. Relatively low prevalence of allergic disorders among respondents of Belarus suggest underdiagnosis of allergic diseases, in particular of asthma. Presumably, cases of asthma might be diagnosed as spastic bronchitis, “obstructive bronchitis”, “asthmatic bronchitis”, a traditional label for clinical manifestation of asthma in medical practice in the region.

Download Full-text

Increase in the Risk of Respiratory Disorders in Adults and Children Related to Crop-Growing in Niger

Journal of Environmental and Public Health ◽

10.1155/2016/9848520 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ali Mamane ◽

Jean-François Tessier ◽

Ghislaine Bouvier ◽

Roger Salamon ◽

Pierre Lebailly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multivariate Analysis ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Face To Face ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Adults And Children ◽

Agricultural Areas

Background and Objective. Environmental factors are an increasing concern for respiratory health in developing countries. The objective of this study was to investigate whether Nigerien people living in cultivated areas have more respiratory symptoms than those living in pastoral areas. Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013 in two populations during the rainy season when land is cultivated. Environmental factors including pesticide use and respiratory symptoms were collected in adults and children during face-to-face interviews. Multivariate analysis between exposures and symptoms was performed in children and in adults separately. Results. The study included 471 adults and 229 children. Overall, none of the households reported the use of pesticides for agricultural purposes. However, 87.2% reported the use of insecticides at home. Multivariate analysis showed that people living in agricultural areas compared to those in pastoral areas had an increased risk of respiratory symptoms in adults (wheezing, dyspnea, sudden shortness of breath, and cough without fever) and in children (cough without fever). The use of insecticides showed no effect on respiratory symptoms after adjustment. Conclusion. This first epidemiological study on the environment and respiratory health conducted in Niger demonstrates a significant relationship between respiratory manifestations and the agricultural characteristics of the living area. However only the effect of insecticides in the home on respiratory health was observed.

Download Full-text

Impact of moderate and late preterm birth on neurodevelopment, brain development and respiratory health at school age: protocol for a longitudinal cohort study (LaPrem study)

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044491 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. e044491

Author(s):

Jeanie Cheong ◽

Kate Lillian Iona Cameron ◽

Deanne Thompson ◽

Peter J Anderson ◽

Sarath Ranganathan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Brain Development ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

Brain Mri ◽

Late Preterm ◽

Longitudinal Cohort Study ◽

School Age ◽

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes ◽

Longitudinal Cohort ◽

Increased Risk

IntroductionChildren born moderate to late preterm (MLP, 32–36 weeks’ gestation) account for approximately 85% of all preterm births globally. Compared with children born at term, children born MLP are at increased risk of poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. Despite making up the largest group of preterm children, developmental outcomes of children born MLP are less well studied than in other preterm groups. This study aimed to (1) compare neurodevelopmental, respiratory health and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes between children born MLP and term at 9 years of age; (2) examine the differences in brain growth trajectory from infancy to 9 years between children born MLP and term; and in children born MLP; (3) examine the relationship between brain development and neurodevelopment at 9 years; and (4) identify risk factors for poorer outcomes at 9 years.Methods and analysisThe ”LaPrem” (Late Preterm MRI Study) study is a longitudinal cohort study of children born MLP and term controls, born at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, between 2010 and 2013. Participants were recruited in the neonatal period and were previously followed up at 2 and 5 years. This 9-year school-age follow-up includes neuropsychology, motor and physical activities, and lung function assessments, as well as brain MRI. Outcomes at 9 years will be compared between birth groups using linear and logistic regressions. Trajectories of brain development will be compared between birth groups using mixed effects models. The relationships between MRI and neurodevelopmental outcomes, as well as other early predictors of poor 9-year outcomes, will be explored using linear and logistic regression.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by the human research ethics committee at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. Study outcomes will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and social media.

Download Full-text

Gender similarity in low agreement between written and video ISAAC asthma questionnaires

Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease ◽

10.4081/monaldi.2006.547 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 65 (4) ◽

Author(s):

M. Gharagozlou ◽

S. Khalili ◽

M. Hallajmofrad ◽

R. Mohammadzadeh ◽

G. Mousavi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Secondary Schools ◽

School Children ◽

Childhood Asthma ◽

Central Area ◽

Kappa Coefficient ◽

Asthma Prevalence ◽

International Studies ◽

Asthma Symptoms ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Gender Similarity

Background and Aim. The prevalence of childhood asthma varies among different nations and appears to have increased in recent years. It has been difficult to determine this prevalence precisely and compare the communities due to the lack of a standardized method. The International Studies of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) has developed a written and video questionnaire to measure asthma prevalence and overcome these difficulties. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of childhood asthma in Kashan, the central area of Iran, and to assess the agreement between the ISAAC written and video questionnaires and its gender relationship. Methods. Between December 2002 and June 2003, 2533 school children, aged 13-14 years, in Kashan secondary schools completed sequentially the ISAAC written and video questionnaires. The agreement between responses to the two questionnaires for reported “ever wheeze”, “exercise wheeze”, “night wheeze” and “night cough” was determined, using kappa coefficient and concordance. Results. The prevalence of asthma symptoms were significantly lower in the responses to the video questionnaire compared with the written questionnaire. Kappa coefficient showed only poor to fair agreement (κ = 0.13- 0.24) between video and written questionnaires, although the concordance between them always exceeded 60%. Conclusions. This study showed that reported asthma symptoms based on video questionnaires were significantly lower than the written questionnaire, and that there is low agreement between the two questionnaires which requires further investigation to explain the findings. In addition, this investigation revealed no significant difference between the genders for this low agreement.

Download Full-text

Respiratory Health Status of Workers in a Bottling Factory in Benin City, Nigeria

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15091919 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (9) ◽

pp. 1919

Author(s):

Sunday Oghuvwu ◽

Eruke Egbagbe ◽

Joshua Aigbirior ◽

Bright Oniovokukor ◽

Gregory Erhabor

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Policy Development ◽

Respiratory Symptom ◽

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Forced Expiratory Volume ◽

European Respiratory Society ◽

Benin City ◽

Exposed Workers

Introduction: There is a paucity of data on the respiratory health status of workers in bottling factories in Benin City, Nigeria. Such data will help to drive future studies and influence policy development on occupational health and safety in the country. This study assesses the respiratory symptoms and spirometric indices of exposed workers and controls. Methods: Respiratory symptoms and spirometric parameters of 18 workers on routine mandatory annual lung screening were assessed using the modified MRC (Medical Research Council) questionnaire and spirometer respectively, according to the European Respiratory Society and American Thoracic Society (ERS/ATS) guidelines. Results: The mean age of workers was 35.1 ± 6.7 years. Workers and controls were similar in age, sex, BMI (Body Mass Index) and health status (p > 0.05). Respiratory symptoms were significantly higher among workers compared to controls. Overall, the result was statistically significant in the variables of wheeze in a smoky or dusty environment, presence of at least one respiratory symptom, better symptoms at weekends and better symptoms during holidays (p < 0.05). In particular, 6 (33.3%) exposed workers had wheeze in a smoky or dusty environment, 9 (50.0%) exposed workers reported at least one respiratory symptom compared with 2 (11.1%) controls, 5 (27.8%) had better symptoms at weekends, and 7 (38.9%) had better symptoms at holidays (p < 0.05). Generally, the reported frequency of respiratory symptoms among exposed workers were: cough (22.2%), sputum production (5.6%), breathlessness (11.1%) and wheeze (44.4%). Similarly, workers had significantly lower spirometric indices than controls, particularly in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (FEF 25–75%) measurements. Conclusions: This study provides evidence of adverse respiratory health effects among bottling factory workers which requires further investigation.

Download Full-text

School-age children enjoyed good respiratory health and fewer allergies despite having lung disease after preterm birth

Acta Paediatrica ◽

10.1111/apa.13526 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 105 (11) ◽

pp. 1298-1304 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Eveliina Ronkainen ◽

Tuula Kaukola ◽

Riitta Marttila ◽

Mikko Hallman ◽

Teija Dunder

Keyword(s):

Preterm Birth ◽

Lung Disease ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

School Age Children ◽

School Age

Download Full-text

Pesticides and respiratory symptoms among farmers

Revista de Saúde Pública ◽

10.1590/s0034-89102005000600016 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 39 (6) ◽

pp. 973-981 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Neice Müller Xavier Faria ◽

Luiz Augusto Facchini ◽

Anaclaudia Gastal Fassa ◽

Elaine Tomasi

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Respiratory Disease ◽

Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Chronic Respiratory Disease ◽

Pesticide Poisoning ◽

Disease Symptoms ◽

Asthma Symptoms ◽

Study Results

OBJECTIVE: Despite the intensive use of pesticides in agriculture there are few studies assessing the risk of respiratory conditions from this exposure. The study aimed at quantifying the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among farmers and evaluating its relationship with occupational use of pesticides and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,379 farmers from two municipalities of Southern Brazil in 1996. Frequency and type of chemical exposure and pesticide poisoning were recorded for both sexes. All subjects aged 15 years or older with at least 15 weekly hours of agricultural activity were interviewed. An adapted questionnaire developed by the American Thoracic Society was used for the assessment of respiratory symptoms. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out. RESULTS: More than half (55%) of interviewees were male. The prevalence of asthma symptoms was 12% and chronic respiratory disease symptoms was 22%. Higher odds ratios for both asthma (OR=1.51; 95% CI: 1.07-2.14) and chronic respiratory disease (OR=1.34; 95% CI 1.00-1.81) symptoms were found in women. Logistic regression analysis identified associations between many forms of exposure to pesticides and increased respiratory symptoms. Occurrence of pesticide poisoning was associated with higher prevalence of asthma symptoms (OR=1.54; 95% CI: 1.04-2.58) and chronic respiratory disease symptoms (OR=1.57; 95% CI: 1.08-2.28). CONCLUSIONS: In spite of causality limitations, the study results provide evidence that farming exposure to pesticides is associated with higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms, especially when the exposure is above two days per month.

Download Full-text

PREVALENCE OF RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS AND PULMONARY FUNCTION STATUS OF RESTAURANT WORKERS

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine ◽

10.37268/mjphm/vol.20/no.3/art.743 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 163-172

Author(s):

Mohammed Abdulrazzaq Jabbar Jabbar ◽

Retneswari Masilamani ◽

Lim Zhi Yik ◽

Chen Pei Fei ◽

Loh Xin Ni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pulmonary Function ◽

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Prolonged Exposure ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

Pulmonary Function Tests ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mean Values ◽

Cooking Fumes

The cooking process may emit toxic compounds and airway irritants from both the fuel combustion and cooking fumes which is harmful to the respiratory health among the restaurant workers. A cross-sectional study of 243 restaurant workers from the selected restaurants in Sungai Long, Malaysia was conducted. The standardized British Medical Research Council questionnaire on Respiratory Symptoms (1986) was used during the interview to access the symptoms and the spirometry test was performed to evaluate the pulmonary functions of the participants. The data of socio-demography and occupational characteristics were also collected. The most complaint respiratory symptoms by the restaurant workers were breathlessness, which accounted for 33.7%, followed by wheezing (14%). The mean values of all pulmonary function tests (PFT) of the restaurant workers were within the normal range (>80%), except for the Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) (79.09%). The results of the bivariate statistical analysis, Chi-square, ANOVA and t-test, showed the determining factors of the respiratory health among the workers were workers’ age and gender in addition to the working duration and the ethnicity. The restaurant workers in Sungai Long were at risk of developing respiratory symptoms and lower pulmonary function values due to prolonged exposure to cooking fumes. Emphasis should be given to the safety and health of restaurant workers and health education should be provided to the restaurant workers and owners. Strategies to increase notification of such occurrences among these workers should be looked into by related agencies in the country.

Download Full-text