Prevalence of asthma in Melbourne schoolchildren: changes over 26 years.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of asthma in the past 12 months in Melbourne schoolchildren aged 7, 12, and 15 years and to compare the prevalence of a history of asthma with that of 26 years ago.


METHODS
A questionnaire on respiratory symptoms was distributed to children for completion by parents and return to the school. Subjects were selected by a stratified cluster design.


METHODS
Government and non-government schools in the greater Melbourne area, Australia.


METHODS
10,981 children. Parents completed questionnaires for 3324 children aged 7, 2899 aged 12, and 2968 aged 15. The overall response rate was 90%.


METHODS
History of wheeze or asthma in the past 12 months and in lifetime.


RESULTS
The prevalences of wheeze in the past 12 months were 23.1%, 21.7%, and 18.6% for 7, 12, and 15 year olds respectively. A history of wheeze was more common in boys than in girls at age 7 (443/1711 v 324/1614) and 12 (418/1767 v 322/1718) but not at age 15. Overall, 78% (1548) of those reporting wheeze also reported a history of asthma and 83% (1611) had used a bronchodilator. The prevalence of a history of asthma among 7 year olds was 46% compared with 19.1% in the 1964 survey, an increase of 141%.


CONCLUSIONS
The current prevalence of asthma in Melbourne schoolchildren is high and has risen substantially over the past 26 years.
Robertson
C F
CF
Department of Thoracic Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Heycock
E
E
Bishop
J
J
Nolan
T
T
Olinsky
A
A
Phelan
P D
PD
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D013997:Time Factors
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents