3 research outputs found
Prevalence of asthma and allergies in 13–14-year-old adolescents from Luanda, Angola
SETTING: The few epidemiological studies on asthma
and allergic diseases performed in Africa have shown
that the prevalence of these diseases is high or increasing.
No such studies have been performed in Angola.
OBJECTIVE : To determine the prevalence of asthma
and other allergic diseases in Angolan adolescents.
DESIGN: This was a descriptive, observational, crosssectional
study in the province of Luanda, Angola, using
the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in
Childhood study methodology in adolescents aged 13
and 14 years. Twenty-three (12%) public schools were
randomly selected. Data were analysed using the
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22.0
software.
RESULTS : A total of 3128 adolescents were included.
The prevalence of asthma (wheezing in the previous 12 months) was 13.4%. The prevalence of rhinitis (sneezing,
runny or blocked nose in the previous 12 months)
was 27% and that of eczema (itchy skin lesions in the
previous 12 months) was 20%; both were more
prevalent in girls. Rhinitis was associated with a greater
number of episodes of night cough in adolescents with
asthma. Rhinitis and eczema, a split-type air conditioning
system, and frequent intake (more than once per
month) of paracetamol were associated with a higher
risk of having asthma.
CONCLUSION: Asthma and related allergic diseases are
a public health problem in adolescents from Luanda.
Preventive and control measures should be implemented.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in 6–7-year-old schoolchildren from Luanda, Angola
Background: Epidemiological data have shown that the prevalence
of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema in children is still
increasing, namely in Africa. However, there are no epidemiological
studies on asthma or allergic diseases in Angolan children.
Objective: To study the prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases
in Angolan children.
Methods: Descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study, using the
ISAAC study methodology, in the province of Luanda, Angola in 6-7-yearold
children. Forty-six (8.3%) public schools were randomly selected.
Data were analysed using the SPSS Statistics version 24.0 software.
Results: A total of 3080 children were studied. Results showed that the
prevalence of asthma (wheezing in the previous 12 months) was 15.8%, that
of rhinitis (sneezing, runny or blocked nose in the previous 12 months)
was 19% and that of eczema (itchy skin lesions in the previous 12 months)
was 22%, without differences between sexes. Rhinitis was associated with
a higher number of episodes of wheezing episodes, disturbed sleep and
night cough, in children with asthma. Rhinitis, eczema, Split-type air
conditioning system, antibiotic intake in the child's first year of life,
frequent intake (more than once per month) of paracetamol and active
maternal smoking were associated with a higher risk of having asthma,
whereas electrical cooking was associated with a protective effect.
Conclusion: Asthma and allergic diseases are highly prevalent in children
from Luanda. A strategy for preventive and control measures should be
implemented.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio