title: Prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis among adults in Yaounde, Cameroon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Population-based estimates of asthma and allergic rhinitis in sub-Saharan African adults are lacking. We assessed the prevalence and determinants of asthma and allergic rhinitis in urban adult Cameroonians.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community-based survey was conducted from December 2013 to April 2014 among adults aged 19 years and above (N = 2,304, 57.3% women), selected through multilevel stratified random sampling across all districts of Yaounde (Capital city). Internationally validated questionnaires were used to investigate the presence of allergic diseases. Logistic regressions were employed to investigate the determinants of allergic conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence rates were 2.7% (95% CI: 2.1-3.4) for asthma-ever, 6.9% (5.9-7.9) for lifetime wheezing, 2.9% (92.2-3.6) for current wheezing and 11.4% (10.1-12.7) for self-reported lifetime allergic rhinitis; while 240 (10.4%) participants reported current symptoms of allergic rhinitis, and 125 (5.4%) had allergic rhino-conjunctivitis. The prevalence of current asthma medication use and self-reported asthma attack was 0.8 (0.4-1.2) and 1 (0.6-1.4) respectively. Multivariable adjusted determinants of current wheezing were signs of atopic eczema [2.91 (1.09-7.74)] and signs of allergic rhinitis [3.24 (1.83-5.71)]. Age group 31-40 years [0.27(0.09-0.78), p = 0.016] was an independent protective factor for wheezing. Determinants of current rhinitis symptoms were active smoking [2.20 (1.37-3.54), p<0.001], signs of atopic eczema [2.84 (1.48-5.46)] and current wheezing [3.02 (1.70-5.39)].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence rates for asthma and allergic rhinitis among adults in this population were at the lower tails of those reported in other regions of the world. Beside the classical interrelation between allergic diseases found in this study, active smoking was an independent determinant of allergic rhinitis symptoms. Nationwide surveys are needed to investigate regional variations.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine and Subspecialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon; Pneumology service, Yaounde Jamot Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Eric Walter
authors: EW
authors: Pefura-Yone
authors: South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors: André Pascal
authors: AP
authors: Kengne
authors: Biyem'assi District Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Adamou Dodo
authors: AD
authors: Balkissou
authors: Institut Supérieur de Technologie Médicale, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Julie Raïcha
authors: JR
authors: Boulleys-Nana
authors: Institut Supérieur de Technologie Médicale, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Nelly Rachel
authors: NR
authors: Efe-de-Melingui
authors: Institut Supérieur de Technologie Médicale, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Patricia Ingrid
authors: PI
authors: Ndjeutcheu-Moualeu
authors: Institut Supérieur de Technologie Médicale, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Charles Lebon
authors: CL
authors: Mbele-Onana
authors: Institut Supérieur de Technologie Médicale, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Elvira Christelle
authors: EC
authors: Kenmegne-Noumsi
authors: Institut Supérieur de Technologie Médicale, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Barbara Linda
authors: BL
authors: Kolontchang-Yomi
authors: Institut Supérieur de Technologie Médicale, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Boris Judicaël
authors: BJ
authors: Theubo-Kamgang
authors: Institut Supérieur de Technologie Médicale, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Emilienne Régine
authors: ER
authors: Ebouki
authors: Institut Supérieur de Technologie Médicale, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Chrystelle Karen
authors: CK
authors: Djuikam-Kamga
authors: Institut Supérieur de Technologie Médicale, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Christiane Gaelle
authors: CG
authors: Magne-Fotso
authors: Institut Supérieur de Technologie Médicale, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Francine
authors: F
authors: Amougou
authors: Institut Supérieur de Technologie Médicale, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Liliane
authors: L
authors: Mboumtou
authors: Institut Supérieur de Technologie Médicale, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Martine
authors: M
authors: Ngo-Yonga
authors: Institut Supérieur de Technologie Médicale, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Elsie Linda
authors: EL
authors: Petchou-Talla
authors: Department of Internal Medicine and Subspecialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon; Pneumology service, Yaounde Jamot Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Emmanuel
authors: E
authors: Afane-Ze
authors: Department of Internal Medicine and Subspecialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon; Faculty of Heath Sciences, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon.
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Kuaban
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D003371:Cough / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult