Abstract
Objectives: Our study investigated the prevalence of wheeze and its associated factors among children between the ages of 0 and 8 years in flood prone areas of Lafia local government area (LGA).Study Design: The study was a cross-sectional study.Materials and Methods: A total of 1,767 children resident in 300 households drawn from five council wards participated in the study. Questionnaires were used to obtain information relating to the children and their immediate environment. Relative humidity of each house was also measured. Wheezing in children was determined from interaction with their parents and confirmed through examination by trained health workers.Results and Discussion: Mean relative humidity of the wards ranged from 52.5%rh to 76.3%rh with 66.8% of children living in houses with relative humidity of >60%rh. Findings revealed a prevalence of 13.0% (n = 230) in the study area. Ages 3-8 years accounted for 70% wheeze cases while 0-2 years accounted for 30%. Age (AOR = 1.560; 95% CI = 1.023 – 2.378), mud houses (AOR = 1.812; 95% CI = 1.080 – 3.040), use of antibiotics (AOR = 143.593; 95% CI = 81.582 – 252.741) and local herbal concoctions (AOR = 114.530; 95% CI = 12.522 – 1047.494) were significantly associated with wheezing in children.Conclusion: The prevalence of wheeze in our study varied among children and was influenced by factors such as age, living in mud houses and recent or current use of antibiotics. This study advocates proper care and protection of children against factors that predispose them to wheezing.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 05 No. 02 April’21 Page: 213-221
Highlights
IntroductionIndoor environments in residential buildings have reported effects on the health of inhabitants
Based on the kind of material used for building houses in the study area, 1,287 (72.8%) of the children lived in houses built with cement blocks while 459 (26.0%) and 21 (1.2%) lived in mud and wood built houses with most of the roofs (78.3%) leaking water during heavy rains
The present study has revealed a prevalence of 13.0% for wheeze in children aged 0 – 8 years within the study area
Summary
Indoor environments in residential buildings have reported effects on the health of inhabitants. This arises from the relationship between moisture level, dampness, fungal presence and respiratory diseases development. Fungal growth in damp buildings as obtainable in flood prone areas, is considered an increasing problem globally mainly due to the health and financial implications which arise from it.[1]. Some studies have identified a relationship between dampness in a home and development of wheezing, with increased risks in homes where dampness and mold growth were found[2-4]. Damp conditions elevate the concentration of fungi and dust mites, both of which produce allergens known to be associated with allergies and asthma development. Some fungi toxins are known to exert negative effects on respiratory health of humans[5]. Wheeze can be caused by some conditions, especially asthma and bronchiolitis[7], but less frequently by congenital anatomical abnormalities, foreign body aspiration, other pulmonary disorders (eg, cystic fibrosis), and cardiac, immune, and gastrointestinal disorders[6]
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