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

Data on asthma aetiology in Africa are scarce. We investigated the risk factors for asthma among schoolchildren (5–17 years) in urban Uganda. We conducted a case-control study, among 555 cases and 1115 controls. Asthma was diagnosed by study clinicians. The main risk factors for asthma were tertiary education for fathers (adjusted OR (95% CI); 2.32 (1.71–3.16)) and mothers (1.85 (1.38–2.48)); area of residence at birth, with children born in a small town or in the city having an increased asthma risk compared to schoolchildren born in rural areas (2.16 (1.60–2.92)) and (2.79 (1.79–4.35)), respectively; father’s and mother’s history of asthma; children’s own allergic conditions; atopy; and cooking on gas/electricity. In conclusion, asthma was associated with a strong rural-town-city risk gradient, higher parental socio-economic status and urbanicity. This work provides the basis for future studies to identify specific environmental/lifestyle factors responsible for increasing asthma risk among children in urban areas in LMICs.

Download Full-text

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

10.1101/677799 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Harriet Mpairwe ◽

Milly Namutebi ◽

Gyaviira Nkurunungi ◽

Pius Tumwesige ◽

Irene Nambuya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Tertiary Education ◽

Economic Status ◽

Case Control ◽

Rural Town ◽

Asthma Risk ◽

Control Study

AbstractData on asthma aetiology in Africa are scarce. We investigated the risk factors for asthma among schoolchildren (5-17years) in urban Uganda. We conducted a case-control study, enrolling 561 cases and 1,139 controls. Asthma was diagnosed by study clinicians.The main risk factors for asthma were tertiary education for fathers [adjusted OR (95% CI); 2.49 (1.89-3.29)] and mothers [2.14 (1.64-2.78)]; area of residence at birth, with children born in a small town or in the city having an increased asthma risk compared to schoolchildren born in rural areas [2.00 (1.49-2.68)] and [2.82 (1.85-4.30)], respectively; father’s and mother’s history of asthma; children’s own allergic conditions; atopy; and using gas/electricity for indoor cooking.Asthma was associated with a strong rural-town-city risk gradient, higher parental socio-economic status and urbanicity. This work provides the basis for future studies to identify specific environmental/lifestyle factors responsible for increasing asthma risk among children in urban areas in LMICs.

Download Full-text

Determinants of soil-transmitted helminth infections among pre-school-aged children in Gamo Gofa zone, Southern Ethiopia: A case-control study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0243836 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. e0243836

Author(s):

Mekuria Asnakew Asfaw ◽

Teklu Wegayehu ◽

Tigist Gezmu ◽

Alemayehu Bekele ◽

Zeleke Hailemariam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Water Source ◽

Case Control ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Context Specific ◽

Gamo Gofa ◽

Control Study

Background Pre-school aged children (PSAC) are highly affected by soil-transmitted helminths (STH), particularly in areas where water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are inadequate. Context-specific evidence on determinants of STH infections in PSAC has not been well established in the study area. This study, therefore, aimed to fill these gaps in Gamo Gofa zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods A community-based unmatched case-control study, nested in a cross-sectional survey, was conducted in January 2019. Cases and controls were identified based on any STH infection status using the Kato-Katz technique in stool sample examination. Data on social, demographic, economic, behavioral, and WASH related variables were collected from primary caregivers of children using pre-tested questionnaire. Determinants of STH infections were identified using multivariable logistic regression model using SPSS version 25. Results A total of 1206 PSAC (402 cases and 804 controls) participated in this study. Our study showed that the odds of STH infection were lowest among PSAC living in urban areas (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.39–0.79), among those from households with safe water source (AOR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.47–0.0.93), and in those PSAC from households with shorter distance from water source (<30 minutes) (AOR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.39–0.67). On the other hand, the odds of STH infection were highest among PSAC from households that had no functional hand washing facility (AOR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.04–1.77), in those PSAC from households that had unclean latrine (AOR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.19–2.78), and among those PSAC under caregivers who had lower score (≤5) on knowledge related to STH transmission (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.13–3.01). Conclusions Given efforts required eliminating STH by 2030; the existing preventive chemotherapy intervention should be substantially strengthened with WASH and behavioral interventions. Thus, an urgent call for action is required to integrate context-specific interventions, particularly in rural areas.

Download Full-text

Determinants of maternal deaths amongst mothers who suffered from post-partum haemorrhage: a community-based case control study

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20182472 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (7) ◽

pp. 2814

Author(s):

Divya Khanna ◽

Jai Veer Singh ◽

Monika Agarwal ◽

Vishwajeet Kumar

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Paired Data ◽

Community Based ◽

Maternal Deaths ◽

Control Study

Background: The WHO estimates that, of the 529 000 maternal deaths occurring every year 136 000 take place in India amongst which postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) being the most (29.6%) commonly reported complication. However deaths from PPH can be prevented. The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors contributing to maternal deaths amongst women who develop PPH.Methods: This was a community based paired case-control study done in rural areas of Lucknow, UP (India) done in a period of one year. Thirty-one maternal deaths due to PPH (cases) were matched and compared with two mothers who survived from PPH (controls). Data was analysed using SPSS version 17.0 and Open Epi version 2.3. The appropriate significance test was applied using MacNemar test for paired data. Risk factors obtained significant in bivariate analysis were subjected to conditional multiple logistic regressions for adjustment and controlling the effect of confounding variables. Results have been given in form of unadjusted Odds ratio (UOR) and adjusted Odds ratio (AOR).Results: It was seen that the mothers who had taken ≥4 antenatal visits during the index pregnancy had a protective effect against deaths due to PPH. Home delivery raised the odds of death by seven times.Conclusions: Deaths due to PPH can be reduced by ensuring institutional delivery, good antenatal care and better referral facilities, especially for mothers from weaker sections of society.

Download Full-text

Risk Factors for Acute Respiratory Infections in Children Between 0 and 23 Months of Age in a Peri-Urban District in Pakistan: A Matched Case–Control Study

Frontiers in Pediatrics ◽

10.3389/fped.2021.704545 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Fatima Mir ◽

Shabina Ariff ◽

Maria Bhura ◽

Suhail Chanar ◽

Apsara Ali Nathwani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Childhood Mortality ◽

Urban District ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Matched Case ◽

Matched Case Control Study ◽

Control Study

Background: Acute respiratory infection (ARI) accounts for nearly 15% of all childhood mortality in South Asia, with children from rural areas at higher risk due to inaccessibility to healthcare facilities. We therefore aimed to identify risk factors associated with ARI in children under 2 years of age in rural Pakistan.Methods: A retrospective 1:2 matched case–control study was conducted between October and December 2018 in Taluka Kotri, Jamshoro District of Pakistan. Cases were identified as children between 0 and 23 months of age with a history of fever, cough, sore throat, fast breathing, difficulty breathing, or chest indrawing in the 2 weeks prior to the survey. Controls were participants without symptoms of ARI, matched based on age in months. Data analysis was conducted using STATA version 15. Univariate and multivariable conditional logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with ARI, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: We identified 1,071 cases of ARI who were matched with 2,142 controls. Multivariable analysis revealed that female gender [odds ratio (OR) 0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.67–0.91], exclusive breastfeeding (OR 0.81, 95% CI: 0.69–0.97), and comorbidity with diarrhea (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.40–1.91) were significantly associated with ARI.Conclusion: Pakistan continues to progress toward reducing childhood mortality, particularly ARI-related deaths, for which it bears a great burden. This study identifies risk factors such as the male gender, breastfeeding, and comorbidities with diarrhea, which could open grounds for further programmatic implications in targeting a multifaceted approach to reducing incidences of ARI in rural areas of the country.

Download Full-text