Environmental risk factors for childhood asthma in a Semi-urban area of Western Tamilnadu
Abstract
Introduction: Environmental determinants are integral part of etiology, severity and management of asthma. But the association between various indoor and outdoor triggers with pediatric asthma has been inconsistent, complex and variable across the globe. This study was aimed at identifying the environmental risk factors associated with childhood asthma in our region.
Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study done at Perundurai Medical college hospital, Tamilnadu. After getting Institutional Ethical Committee approval, children in the age group of 2 to 15 years attending the pediatric outpatient department were enrolled in the study. Parents were interviewed with ISAAC questionnaire and history of exposure to various indoor and outdoor triggers was recorded in addition to the basic demographic details and anthropometric indices. Data was analyzed using Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis.
Results: Among 500 subjects, 298 (59.6%) were asthmatics and 202 (40.4%) were non-asthmatics. Age group of 6-10 years (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.20- 3.13), male gender (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.47-3.48), overweight/obesity (OR 3.70, 95% CI 1.17-11.66), mould (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.37- 4.32), seasonal variation (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.51-3.79) and outdoor air pollution (OR 6.17, 95% CI 4.00- 9.53) were independently associated with childhood asthma. Passive smoking, type of cooking fuel, absence of smoke outlet, exposure to animals and proximity of house to arterial road were not significantly associated with asthma.
Conclusion: Environmental triggers play a significant role in pediatric asthma. Appropriate interventions to mitigate these modifiable risk factors would decrease the burden of the disease substantially.
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