Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Socioeconomic risk factors in the prevalence of asthma and other atopic diseases in children 6 to 7 years old in Valencia, Spain

  • Published:
European Journal of Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A cross-sectional survey of a cohort study was carried out between June and December 1994 in Valencia, Spain (population in 1994: 764,293 inhabitants). Two hundred sixty public and private schools randomly selected from the total of schools in Valencia were invited to participate; 3948 children aged 6–7 years cooperated in our study after informed consent was obtained from parents and school director. The survey in Valencia is part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC). Prevalences for asthma, rhinitis and atopic dermatitis were determined and contrasted with socioeconomic status (SES) among children. No statistically significant associations were established between the prevalences of asthma, rhinitis and atopic dermatitis, and SES. However, atopic dermatitis was found to be common among upper class children (21.5 per 100 children). Likewise, significant associations were observed between the severity of atopy (2 or 3 atopic manifestations) and SES (p=0.000), being greater for lower strata (4.5 per 100 children); for the three SES level significant differences were established (p = 0.008) regarding passive exposure to tobacco smoke in the home.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Dotterud LK, Kvammen B, Bolle R, Falk E. A survey of atopic diseases among school children in Sor-Varanger Community. Acta Derm Venereol 1994; 74: 124–128.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Halken S. Environmental causes of asthma in children. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 1994; 5(Suppl 1): 57–60.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Phelan PD. Asthma in children: Epidemiology. Br Med J 1994; 308: 1584–1585.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Cullinan P, Taylor N. Asthma in children: Environmental factors. Br Med J 1994; 308: 1585–1586.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Luczynska CM. Risk factors for indoor allergen exposure. Respir Med 1994 Nov; 88(10): 723–729.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Infante-Rivard C. Childhood asthma and indoor environmental risk factors. Am J Epidemiol 1993; 137: 834–844.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Strachan D, Anderson R, Limb E, O'Neill A, Wells N. A national survey of asthma prevalence severity and treatment in Great Britain. Arch Dis Child 1994; 70: 174–178.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Mielck A, Reitmeir P. Severity of chilshood asthma by socioeconomic status. Int J Epidemiol 1996; 25: 388–393.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Lal A, Kumar L, Malhotra S. Socio-economic burden of childhood asthma. Indian Pediatrics 1994; 31: 425–432.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Herrström P, Högstedt B. Allergic diseases, dental health, and socioeconomic situation of Swedish teenagers. Scand J Prim Health Care 1994; 12: 57–61.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Mitchel E, Stewart A, Pattemore P, Asher Y, Harrison A, Rea H. Socioeconomic status in childhood asthma. Int J Epidemiol 1989; 18(4): 888–890.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Ernst P, Demissie K, Joseph L, Locher U, Becklake M. Socioeconomic status and indicators of asthma in children. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1995; 152: 570–575.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Burney PGJ, Latin LA, Perchtaet E. Validity and repeatibility of the IUATLD (1984) bronchial symptoms questionnaire an international comparison. Eur Resp J 1989; 32: 940–945.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Pearce N, Weiland S, Keil U, Langridge P. Self-reported prevalence of asthma symptoms in children in Australia, England, Germany and New Zealand: An international comparison using the ISAAC protocol. Eur Resp J 1993; 6: 1455–1461.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Alvarez Dardet C, Alonso J, Domingo A, Regidor E. Descripción de los indicadores de clase social más utilizados. La medición de la clase social en ciencias de la salud. Madrid Sociedad Española de Epidemiología (ed), 1995: 63–74.

  16. Hart N. The social and economic environment and human health. In: Holland WW, Detelds R, Knox G (eds), Oxford Textbook of Public Health. Vol 1. Oxford: J.A. Majors, 1991: 151–80.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Burr M, Limb E, Andrae S, Barry D, Nagel F. Childhood asthma in four countries: A comparative survey. Int J Epidemiol 1994; 23: 341–346.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Soto-Quiros M, Bustamante M, Gutiérrez I, Hanson LA, Strannegard IL, Karlberg J. The prevalence of childhood asthma in Costa Rica. Clin Exp Allergy 1994 Dec; 24(12): 1130–1136.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Meana A, Moreno M, Muruzábal C, Tamargo I, Fernández-tejada E. Asma infantil enuna zona de salud: Población afecta y características de la misma. Atención Primaria 1993; 12: 36–38.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Kalyoncu AF, Selcuk ZT, Karakoca Y, Emri AS, Cöplü L, Sahin AA, Baris YT. Prevalence of childhood asthma and allergic diseases in Ankara. Allergy 1994; 49: 485–488.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Leung R, Bishop J, Roberston CF. Prevalence of asthma and wheeze in Hong Kong school children: An international comparative study. Eur Resp J 1994; 7: 2046–2049.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Peat J, Van der Berg R, Green W, Mellis C, Leeder S, Woolcock A. Changing prevalence of asthma in Australian children. Br Med J 1994; 308: 1591–1596.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Willies-Jacobo L, Denson-Lino J, Rosas A, O'Connor R, Wilson N. Socioeconomic status and allergy in children with asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1993; 92: 630–632.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Marder D, Targonski P, Orris O, Persky V, Addington W. effect of racial and socioeconomic factors on asthma mortality in Chicago. Chest 1992;. 101(Suppl): 426–429.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Halfon N, Neewacheck P. Childhood asthma and poverty: Differential impacts and utilization of health services. Pediatrics 1993; 91(1): 56–61.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Wright A, Holberg C, Martínez F, Halonen M, Morgan W, Taussig L. Epidemiology of physican-diagnosed allergic rhinitis in childhood. Pediatrics 1994; 94: 895–900.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Sobol A. Maternal smoking and childhood asthma. Pediatrics 1990; 85: 505–511.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Public Health, Hygiene and Environmental Care, University of Valencia; Clinical-Epidemiology Unit, Hospital Dr.Peset, Valencia, Spain

    M.M. Morales suárez-varela, A. Llopis gonzález & M.I. Martínez selva

Authors
  1. M.M. Morales suárez-varela
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Llopis gonzález
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M.I. Martínez selva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Morales suárez-varela, M., Llopis gonzález, A. & Martínez selva, M. Socioeconomic risk factors in the prevalence of asthma and other atopic diseases in children 6 to 7 years old in Valencia, Spain. Eur J Epidemiol 15, 35–40 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007592121308

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007592121308

Search

Navigation