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Household Conditions, Eczema Symptoms and Rhinitis Symptoms: Relationship with Wheeze and Severe Wheeze in Children Living in the Polokwane Area, South Africa

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Abstract

Background This is the fifth study that applied the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) methodology in the Southern African Development Community (SADC region). However, it is the first ISAAC study that focused on 6- to 7-year-old children living in South Africa and that also investigated the association between potential risk factors and asthma symptoms. Objective To assess the 12-month prevalence of wheeze and severe wheeze along with their potential risk factors. Setting Within a 60-km radius from the Polokwane city centre, Limpopo Province. Methods The survey was conducted during August 2004 and February 2005. Parents/guardians of 6- to 7-year-old children completed the questionnaires in English, Afrikaans or North-Sotho. However, the statistical analyses were restricted to the North-Sotho group (n = 2,437). Results The 12-month prevalence rates of wheeze and severe wheeze were 11.2% and 5.7%, respectively. The 12-month prevalence rates of eczema symptoms and rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms were 8.0% and 7.3%, respectively. Living in a rural area significantly decreased the likelihood of wheeze by 31%. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke at home and the presence of eczema symptoms and rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms increased the likelihood of wheeze by 77%, 104% and 226%, respectively. Only the presence of rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms increased the likelihood of severe wheeze by 107%. Conclusion Wheeze appears to be an emerging public health problem in the Polokwane area. Hopefully, detailed analytical intervention studies will further explicate these results in the near future.

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Notes

  1. Fynbos is a unique vegetation type found in a small belt of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. The Fynbos biome is dominated by woody or herbaceous shrubs. The name fynbos is Afrikaans for fine bush and refers to the fine, needle-like leaves of many fynbos species. The majority of the plants are evergreen hard-leaf plants. Three of the characteristic fynbos plant families are proteas, ericas and restios. The Bushveld is a tropical savanna vegetation type, with grassed plains that are interspersed with dense clusters of tall shrubs, Acacia and/or Baobab trees. The grasses are generally tall and turn yellow or brown in winter.

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Acknowledgements

This survey was part of a bigger project. It was commissioned and financed by Anglo Platinum and managed by SE Solutions (Pty) Ltd. The School of Health Systems and Public Health from the University of Pretoria conducted this survey by following the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) protocol. All data from this study are the property of Anglo American Platinum Corporation, ISAAC and the University of Pretoria. Gratitude is expressed towards everybody who completed questionnaires, the school principals and the Education Department of the Limpopo Province for giving permission to conduct this study, the fieldworkers, the data capturers and Annemieke van Middelkoop for her assistance during the data processing stages.

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  1. School of Health Systems and Public Health, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Pretoria, P.O. Box 667, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa

    Janine Wichmann, Jacqueline E. Wolvaardt, Chantelle Maritz & Kuku V. V. Voyi

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Wichmann, J., Wolvaardt, J.E., Maritz, C. et al. Household Conditions, Eczema Symptoms and Rhinitis Symptoms: Relationship with Wheeze and Severe Wheeze in Children Living in the Polokwane Area, South Africa. Matern Child Health J 13, 107–118 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-007-0309-x

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