title: Environmental determinants of asthma among school children aged 13-14 in and around Polokwane, Limpopo Province, South Africa.
abstract: Asthma has become a public health issue since the 1960's. Factors associated with asthma are environmental and genetic. This study is based on a random sample of 742 students aged 13-14 attending various schools at Polokwane, in the Province of Limpopo in South Africa. Survey logistic regression and multi-level analyses were used for data analysis. The study identifies three key determinants of asthma at the district, school and individual levels. The study shows that persistent cough (OR = 4.01), exposure to smoke at the household level (OR = 2.39) and lack of access to flush toileta at the household level (OR = 1.89) are key predictors of asthma in children. Variability at the level of districts accounts for 46% of total variance. Variability at the level of schools accounts for 33% of total variance.
authors.affiliation: Research and Development, South African Social Security Agency, Wierdapark 0149, South Africa. kidim@sassa.gov.za
authors.forename: Kidi Rose
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Maluleke
authors.forename: Zeleke
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Worku
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D004560:Electricity; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D012906:Smoke / Q000009:adverse effects; D012923:Social Class; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D012906:Smoke