Prevalence of allergic diseases in schoolchildren in Oran town, Algeria

Abstract

Objective: to assess the prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional survey based in ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) protocol involved 2860 school children aged 6 to 7 years and 2560 aged 13 to 14 years, during the period april-may 2010.The collection of information was done through a standardized questionnaire supervised by two trained investigators. Data were analysed by epi-info software package. Results: prevalence of asthma was 4.6%(6-7years) and 6.1%(13-14years),prevalence of symptoms suggestive(wheezing, wheezing on exertion, nocturnal cough)was respectively 11.5%,8.7%,16.6% among children of 6-7 years, and 13%,11.6%,13% among teenagers 13-14 years. We noticed among children of 6-7 years that 199(7%) had 2 or 3 symptoms suggestive of asthma but not known as asthmatics. Also among teenagers (13-14 years), 188(7.34%) had 2 or 3 symptoms suggestive of asthma but not known as asthmatics. Furthermore prevalence of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis was respectively 23% and 3% among children of 6-7 years and 37.3% and 4.3% among teenagers 13-14 years. Conclusion: 4.6% of children (6-7 years) and 6.1% of teenagers (13-14 years) have diagnosed asthma. However we notice that asthma was under-diagnosed among schoolchildren despite the presence of symptoms suggestive of asthma. We underline the interest of training physicians units school screening for the diagnosis of asthma.