[Occurrence of asthma among school children in Norway during the period 1985-94].
Several comparable surveys of childhood as have been performed in Norway. This article describes the prevalence among children, 6-13 years old, during the period 1985-94, and how this prevalence is influenced by the operational definition of asthma. Questionnaires were administered in eight areas; Troms/Finnmark (1985), Nordland (1985), Ardal/Laerdal (1989/92), Sør-Varanger (1992), Oslo (1994), Hallingdal (1994) and Odda (1994). The response rates varied from 85 to 96%. The parent-reported lifetime prevalences were lowest in the areas where the studies took place in 1985, the earliest year of study; Nordland 7.2% (95% CI 6.5-7.9), Troms/Finnmark 8.1% (7.4-8.8). The prevalence increased up to 1994, with the highest prevalence in Oslo 13.7% (12.0-15.4). The prevalence of current asthma was about half the lifetime prevalence; Oslo 5.7% (4.6-6.8) compared with 10.1% (8.5-11.6). When respiratory symptoms the estimates were doubled in some areas and regional differences were reduced. The prevalence increased during the study period and seemed to be highest in northern Norway. Regions classified as polluted did not have a higher prevalence.
Nystad
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Seksjon for epidemiologi, Statens institutt for folkehelse, Oslo.
Magnus
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P
Søyseth
V
V
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Forekomsten av astma blant skolebarn i Norge i perioden 1985-94.