title: Contribution of air-proof doors and windows to asthma in Campania Plain (Italy).
abstract: The relation between the prevalence of doctor-diagnosed asthma in children and the presence of air-proof doors and windows (doors and windows with rubber gaskets) in their homes was investigated by a cross-sectional survey in the area of Campania Plain, South Italy. Information on the occurrence of asthma and home/family characteristics, including parental smoking habit and level of education, was obtained by a questionnaire given to school children, aged 8-14 years, and their parents. After possible confounders were controlled, the risk of developing asthma was found to be significantly higher in children living in houses equipped with air-proof doors and windows (Odds ratio = 1.30, 95% Confidence interval = 1.1-1.5). By reducing the air exchange, these fixtures are likely to produce increased levels of indoor pollutants. No interaction was found between the two variables 'air-proof doors and windows' and 'parental smoking habit'.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Seconda Università di Napoli, via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy.
authors.forename: Marilisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bencivenga
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Capasso
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Capristo
authors.forename: Michele Miraglia
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Del Giudice
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salvestrini
authors.forename: Sante
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Capasso
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution