Assessing the prevalence of pediatric allergy in Phitsanulok, Thailand
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Accepted: Aug 2023 Latest revision: Sep 2023 Printed: Sep 2023
Correspondence to: Suwannee Uthaisangsook suwannee_u@yahoo.com
To evaluate the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema among children in Phitsanulok, Thailand
METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and February 2007 in two age groups (6–7 and 13–14 years old) living in Phitsanulok, Thailand. Data were collected by using standardized Thai version of The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) written questionnaire for both age groups and a video questionnaire for the older children.
RESULTS
In this study, a total of 2,369 students aged 6–7 years and 3,173 students aged 13–14 years were included. For the younger age group, it showed that the recent (12-month period) prevalence of asthma was 8.71% (95% confidence interval (CI); 7.53 to 9.88),that of rhinitis was 28.93% (95% CI; 27.04 to 30.83), and that of eczema was14.53% (95% CI; 13.06 to 16.00). For the older age group, we found that the recent prevalence of asthma was 12.26% (95% CI; 11.10 to 13.43),that of rhinitis was 36.59% (95% CI; 34.89 to 38.29), and that of eczema was 8.04% (95% CI; 7.07 to 9.00). In terms of life time (ever) prevalence of the three allergic conditions, in the younger age group, it showed that the life time prevalence of asthma was 14.32% (95% CI; 12.86 to 15.78),that of rhinitis was 34.11% (95% CI; 32.14 to 36.08), and that of eczema was15.57% (95% CI; 14.06 to 17.08). For the older age group, we found that the life time prevalence of asthma was 19.16% (95% CI; 17.77 to 20.56),that of rhinitis was 44.88% (95% CI; 43.13 to 46.62), and that of eczema was 10.66% (95% CI; 9.57 to 11.76).
CONCLUSION
Pediatric asthma, rhinitis and eczema were less prevalent in Phitsanulok than in Bangkok. However, in comparison to Chiang Mai, children in Phitsanulok had a higher prevalence of asthma but a lower prevalence of eczema.
Corresponding author: Suwannee Uthaisangsook, MD. E-mail: suwannee_u@yahoo.com
