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HOME ENVIRONMENT AND CHILDHOOD ASTHMA IN A RURAL IOWA COUNTY
Citation:
Svendsen, E., S. Reynolds, J. Merchant, A. Naleway, A. Stromquist, AND P. S. Thorne. HOME ENVIRONMENT AND CHILDHOOD ASTHMA IN A RURAL IOWA COUNTY. Presented at American Thoracic Society Meeting, Atlanta, GA, May 17-22, 2002.
Description:
HOME ENVIRONMENT AND CHILDHOOD ASTHMA IN A RURAL IOWA COUNTY
Erik R. Svendsen*?, Stephen J. Reynolds*?, James A. Merchant*, Allison L. Naleway*?, Ann M. Stromquist*, Peter S. Thorne*.
*University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA ?Current: USEPA RTP, NC ?Current: Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO ?Current: Marshfield Medical Research Foundation, Marshfield, WI
Introduction: Childhood asthma is epidemic throughout the industrialized world. Most literature reports lower asthma and allergy prevalence rates among rural and agricultural populations. In Round I of the Keokuk County Rural Health Study (KCRHS) (a rural longitudinal cohort study), a relatively high rate of childhood asthma prevalence was found: 16.3%. Further study was warranted to explain the high prevalence.
Methods: A nested case-control study was performed within Round II of the KCRHS. Extensive home environmental assessments were performed, in addition to enhanced clinical evaluations.
Results: In univariate analysis, allergy and sensitization (especially to farm, grass, and mold antigens), increasing exposure to mold/water damage, and always used wood to heat were significantly associated with asthma prevalence. Atopy (OR: 3.73, 95% CI: 1.21-11.42) and mildew/water damage exposure (OR: 2.45, 95%CI: 1.20-5.00) were significantly associated with asthma prevalence even after adjusting for male gender, severe chest illness prior to 2 years of age, and high-risk birth in a multiple logistic regression.
Conclusions: Increasing farm and mold exposures were significantly associated with increased asthma prevalence, independent of gender, early severe chest illnesses, and neo-natal risk factors.
This abstract does not necessarily represent EPA policy.