Prevalence and risk factors of asthma and wheeze in school-going children in Lucknow, North India
Awasthi, S.; Kalra, E.; Roy, S.; Awasthi, S.
Indian Pediatrics 41(12): 1205-1210
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 15623900 Document Number: 239854
Objective: To assess the prevalence of asthma and wheeze and the factors associated with it in children aged 6-7 and 13-14 years in an urban area. Method: A school based, prospective survey using self/parental reporting of occurrence of asthma or wheeze on pre-designed questionnaire was performed during July 2001-March 2002. Results: 17 and 15 schools in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, were randomly selected for recruitment of subjects in age groups 6-7 and 13-14 years, respectively. The prevalences of asthma and wheeze were 2.3 and 6.2% in the age group 6-7 years and 3.3 and 7.8% in the age group 13-14 years, respectively. On the basis of adjusted odds ratio, the risk factors for wheeze/asthma were tertiary education of mother, antibiotic use in the first year of life, eating pasta, fast foods or meat once or more per week, and exercise once or more per week, whereas the protective factors were intake of vegetables once or more and fruits thrice or more per week. In univariate analysis, breastfeeding was also protective. Conclusion: Promotion of rational use of antibiotics in the first year of life, avoidance of fast food, and promotion of breastfeeding and intake of fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of asthma/wheeze.