Childhood asthma prevalence in northern Puerto Rico, the Rio Grande, and Loíza experience.
OBJECTIVE
Childhood asthma is highly prevalent in some areas of Puerto Rico. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of asthma in two municipalities of Northern Puerto Rico.


METHODS
Children 6 to 7 and 13 to 14 years of age participated in the school-based cross-sectional study.


RESULTS
A total of 1,467 elementary school students and 1,334 junior-high school students were included in the survey. A high prevalence of asthma was observed; 46% in elementary schools and 24% in junior-high schools. In elementary schools, family history of asthma (FHA) was associated with ever wheezed (PR = 2.00, 95%CI 1.59, 2.52), wheeze during last year (PR = 2.02, 95%CI 1.54, 2.62), and asthma (PR = 2.33, 95%CI 1.86, 2.92). For junior-high schools FHA was associated with ever wheezed (PR = 2.01, 95%CI 1.56, 2.57), wheeze during previous year (PR = 2.00, 95%CI 1.47, 2.73), and asthma (PR = 2.72, 95%CI 2.06, 3.60).


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed a high prevalence of asthma and related symptoms in Northern Puerto Rico. FHA was strongly associated with asthma and its symptoms. Further research is recommended to look at genetics, sensitivity levels, indoor and outdoor pollution, and gene-environment interactions.
Loyo-Berríos
Nilsa I
NI
Food and Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Office of Surveillance and Biometrics, Division of Post-Market Surveillance, Epidemiology Branch, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA. nilsa.loyo-berrios@fda.hhs.gov
Orengo
Juan C
JC
Serrano-Rodríguez
Ruby A
RA
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012307:Risk Factors; D019371:Topography, Medical