The prevalence of bronchial asthma among primary school students in urban and rural areas

Abstract

Background Asthma is a major public health problem worldwide with a dramatic increase witnessed during the past half century in the urbanized and industrialized regions of the world. Observations in the differences between the prevalence of allergic disease in urban and rural areas have been documented worldwide.Aim The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of bronchial asthma among primary school students in urban area (Alexandria) and rural area (Kafr El Sheik).Patients and methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 600 primary school students between 8 and 12 years of age. A total of 300 students were from three different schools in Alexandria and 300 students from three different schools from villages around Kafr El-Sheikh’s. The study was conducted by using a written International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood standardized questionnaire and a modified version of the Weil Corneil Medicine environmental survey questionnaire.Results There was no significant difference between the prevalence of wheezes in urban and rural areas. Some environmental risk factors were associated with increased prevalence of asthma as having wall-to-wall carpeting in the bedroom, synthetic mattresses and pillows, pets, pests, and having a smoker in the house.Conclusion The close proximity of the urban and rural areas in Egypt and the presence of the environmental factors that are considered as a risk factor for the development of bronchial asthma in both areas led to the absence of a significant difference in the prevalence of wheezes.