Prevalencia de asma y su relación con la contaminación del medio externo en niños de 2 a 5 años en los centros de desarrollo infantil comunitarios, Cuenca - 2012

Abstract

Asthma is considered one of the most frequent health problems. The ISAAC study in Latin America revealed the prevalence of asthma in 5 to 20% of children. Exposure to external pollutants is one factor associated with the increase of incidents of asthma because it modifies the pulmonary response to environmental triggers.

Objective: The objective is to determine the prevalence of asthma in children 2 to 5 years who are attending Cuenca’s public daycare and its relationship with environmental pollutants.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study in children 2 to 5 years who attend public daycare centers in the city of Cuenca. The ISAAC questionnaire and a general questionnaire for collection of demographic data were used. External pollutants data was extracted from the reports of the Monitoring Network Air Quality of the Municipality of Cuenca. SPSS 15 was used to tabulate the data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to demonstrate the relationship between asthma and its risk factors.

Results: The prevalence of asthma was 28.8%; the average age 42.24 months, with females more prevalent than males; prematurity RP 3.05 (95% CI 2.20 to 4.22 p = 0.00), family history for asthma RP 2.53 (95% CI 1.79 to 3.57 p = 0.00). External contaminants were presented as follows: heavy vehicular traffic near the CDI: RP 0.88 (95% CI 0.61 to 1.27 p = 0.47), half vehicular traffic:RP1,27 (IC 95% 0,88-1,82, p=0,20), location of housing in industrial area: MOP 1 , 31 (95% CI 0.80 to 2.14 p = 0.30), proximity to factories and / or industries RP 1.37 (95% CI 0.93 to 2.02 p = 0.12), levels above the standard environment of SO2, NO2, PS showed no statistical significance.

Conclusions: In our population, family history of asthma and premaurity increase the risk of asthma.