title: Asthma prevalence and risk factors analysis in Tricity university students' group.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Asthma is the most prevalent chronic disease in a young and middle age population worldwide. It is also one of the main reasons for the lost working days and lost days at school. Several epidemiological surveys have evidenced an increase in the prevalence of asthma in Poland. This trend is further evident in urban areas such as Tricity (Gdańsk, Sopot, Gdynia). The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of the disease as well as the risk factors affecting the university student population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two surveys were distributed electronically to students of the four major universities in Tricity. The first survey contained nine questions concerning asthma diagnoses and symptoms. The second survey, which evaluated the occurrence of identified risk factors, was sent to students who answered the first survey. Asthmatics also received an Asthma Control Test (ACT). The results were analyzed using the Statistica 10 software. Study group consisted of 1380 students: 1031 (75%) women and 349 (25%) men; the average age was 22.2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Asthma was diagnosed in 138 students (9.6%), additionally 76 students (5.5%) reported asthmatic symptoms; however, these students had no previous diagnoses. Asthma tended to occur more frequently in students living in poorly maintained houses (19%) (p = 0.06), in contrast to those living in a normal environment (10%). According to their ACTs, 81% of diagnosed patients reported that their asthma was well-controlled.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Asthma is becoming an important issue for Tricity students. Educational activities aimed at raising university students' awareness regarding asthma treatment and control should be implemented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergology and Pneumonology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland. j.romantowski@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Romantowski
authors.forename: Marika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gawinowska
authors.forename: Paulina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cyrny
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jassem
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chełmińska
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Niedoszytko
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: asthma; prevalence; risk factors; students; universities