Abstract
Methods:A modified Korean version of written questionnaires from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood was completed by the parents of 125 first-grade children. Skin prick tests (SPTs) for nine common inhalants and food allergens were performed. Air cleaners, HEPA vacuum cleaners, wet blackboards, and wet towels were used to clean the floor in the class- room. Students and their parents participated in school-based educational programs about atopic dermatitis. A follow-up questionnaire and SPTs were performed at 6 months after improving the classroom conditions. Indoor air quality was measured at the 3 months interval in July and September of the same year after the school-based program. Results:The prevalence of itchy eczema ever and a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, within the last 12 months was 26.4% and 12.0%, respectively. Eleven students (34.4%) showed positive results among 32 students who were examined with SPTs. All children who showed positive results were sensitized with house dust mites. After the environmental change, the prevalence of itchy eczema within the last 6 months and diagnosis of atopic dermatitis within the last 6 months was 14.7% and 7.8%, respectively. Skin reactivity assessed by mean wheal diameter decreased. Mea- sured indoor air quality values improved in all classrooms by September. Conclusion:School-based environmental changes and educational programs including a partner- ship among home, school, society, and the public health care center could be applied to better manage atopic dermatitis in school children. (Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis(Korea) 2011;21:285-293)
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