Factors associated with difference in prevalence of asthma in children from three cities in China: multicentre epidemiological survey.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the factors associated with difference in prevalence of asthma in children in different regions of China.


METHODS
Multicentre epidemiological survey.


METHODS
Three cities in China.


METHODS
10,902 schoolchildren aged 10 years.


METHODS
Asthma and atopic symptoms, atopic sensitisation, and early and current exposure to environmental factors.


RESULTS
Children from Hong Kong had a significantly higher prevalence of wheeze in the past year than those from Guangzhou and Beijing (odds ratio 1.64, 95% confidence interval 1.35 to 1.99). Factors during the first year of life and currently that were significantly associated with wheeze were cooking with gas (odds ratio 2.04, 1.34 to 3.13), foam pillows (2.58, 1.66 to 3.99), and damp housing (1.89, 1.26 to 2.83). Factors protecting against wheeze were cotton quilts and the consumption of fruit and raw vegetables.


CONCLUSIONS
Environmental factors and diet may explain the differences in prevalence of asthma between children living in different regions of China.
Department of Paediatrics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China.
Gary W K
GW
Wong
Fanny W S
FW
Ko
David S C
DS
Hui
Tai F
TF
Fok
David
D
Carr
Erika
E
von Mutius
Nan S
NS
Zhong
Yu Z
YZ
Chen
Christopher K W
CK
Lai
D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence