The prevalence and associated factors of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema in Turkish children and adolescents

Abstract

We aim to determine the prevalence and related risk factors of asthma and allergic diseases in school children and adolescent in Konya, Turkey, and to compare this prevalence with that of 11 years ago. This descriptive correlational study also includes the third phase of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood protocol. A total of 2220 students aged between 6 and 18 took part in this study. In our study, prevalence of wheezing of 21.8%, eczema of 4.3%, and allergic rhinitis of 43.2% were found in students until this age. In the study, student smoking, school location, history of asthma in the family, mold or moisture at home, and mother's smoking now were related factors for wheezing, while eating habits, breastfeeding, and student's gender were determined as related factors for allergic rhinitis symptoms in the past 12 months. In addition, having a pet, eating habits, and school level were determined as related factors for eczema symptoms in the past 12 months (p < 0.05). As a result of comparison of the findings of this study with the results of the study conducted by Güner et al., it was determined that the rates of wheezing and allergic rhinitis had increased, whereas the rate of eczema had decreased (p < 0.05). It was determined that under the effect of urbanization in Konya, the prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis in students had increased, while the prevalence of eczema had decreased.