The Jamaica asthma and allergies national prevalence survey: rationale and methods

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Asthma is a significant public health problem in the Caribbean. Prevalence surveys using standardized measures of asthma provide valid prevalence estimates to facilitate regional and international comparisons and monitoring of trends. This paper describes methods used in the Jamaica Asthma and Allergies National Prevalence Survey, challenges associated with this survey and strategies used to overcome these challenges.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>An island wide, cross-sectional, community-based survey of asthma, asthma symptoms and allergies was done among adults and children using the European Community Respiratory Health Survey Questionnaire for adults and the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children. Stratified multi-stage cluster sampling was used to select 2, 163 adults aged 18 years and older and 2, 017 children aged 2-17 years for the survey. The Kish selection table was used to select one adult and one child per household. Data analysis accounted for sampling design and prevalence estimates were weighted to produce national estimates.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The Jamaica Asthma and Allergies National Prevalence Survey is the first population- based survey in the Caribbean to determine the prevalence of asthma and allergies both in adults and children using standardized methods. With response rates exceeding 80% in both groups, this approach facilitated cost-effective gathering of high quality asthma prevalence data that will facilitate international and regional comparison and monitoring of asthma prevalence trends. Another unique feature of this study was the partnership with the Ministry of Health in Jamaica, which ensured the collection of data relevant for decision-making to facilitate the uptake of research evidence. The findings of this study will provide important data on the burden of asthma and allergies in Jamaica and contribute to evidence-informed planning of comprehensive asthma management and education programs.</p

Asthma and Allergies in Jamaican Children age 2-17 years: A cross-sectional prevalence survey

Objective: To determine the prevalence and severity of asthma and allergies as well as risk factors for asthma among Jamaican children aged 2-17years. Design: A cross-sectional community-based prevalence survey using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies (ISAAC) questionnaire. The authors selected a representative sample of 2, 017 children using stratified multi-stage, cluster sampling design using enumeration districts as primary sampling units. Setting: Jamaica, a Caribbean island with a total population of approximately 2.6 million geographically divided into 14 parishes. Participants: Children aged 2-17 years, who were resident in private households. Institutionalised children such as those in boarding schools and hospitals were excluded from the survey. Primary and secondary outcomes measures: The prevalence and severity of asthma and allergy symptoms, doctor diagnosed asthma and risk factors for asthma. Results: Almost a fifth (19.6%) of Jamaican children aged 2-17years had current wheeze while 16.7% had self reported doctor-diagnosed asthma. Both were more common among males than females. The prevalence of rhinitis, hay fever and eczema among children was 24.5%, 25% and 17.3%, respectively. Current wheeze was more common among children with rhinitis in the last 12 months (44.3% versus 12.6%, p&lt;0.001), hay fever (36.8% versus 13.8%, p&lt;0.001) and eczema (34.1% versus 16.4%, p&lt;0.001). Independent risk factors for current wheeze, odds ratios (OR), 95 % confidence intervals(CI) were: chest infections in the first year of life 4.83 (3.00-7.77), parental asthma 4.19 (2.8 -6.08), rhinitis in the last twelve months 6.92 (5.16-9.29), hay fever 4.82(3.62-6.41), molds in the home 2.25 (1.16-4.45), cat in the home 2.44 (1.66-3.58) and dog in the home 1.81(1.18-2.78). Conclusions: The prevalence of asthma and allergies in Jamaican children is high. Significant risk factors for asthma include: chest infections in the first year of life, a history of asthma in the family, allergies, molds and pets in the home

The impact of a decade (2004-2015) of research on vector-borne diseases

This book presents the impacts of the two projects (EDEN and EDENext)