Childhood Asthma Prevalence in Northern Puerto Rico, the Rio Grande, and Loíza Experience

Abstract

Objective. Childhood asthma is highly prevalent in some areas of Puerto Rico. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of asthma in two municipalities of Northern Puerto Rico. Methods. Children 6 to 7 and 13 to 14 years of age participated in the school-based cross-sectional study. Results. A total of 1,467 elementary school students and 1,334 junior-high school students were included in the survey. A high prevalence of asthma was observed; 46% in elementary schools and 24% in junior-high schools. In elementary schools, family history of asthma (FHA) was associated with ever wheezed (PR = 2.00, 95%CI 1.59, 2.52), wheeze during last year (PR = 2.02, 95%CI 1.54, 2.62), and asthma (PR = 2.33, 95%CI 1.86, 2.92). For junior-high schools FHA was associated with ever wheezed (PR = 2.01, 95%CI 1.56, 2.57), wheeze during previous year (PR = 2.00, 95%CI 1.47, 2.73), and asthma (PR = 2.72, 95%CI 2.06, 3.60). Conclusions. This study showed a high prevalence of asthma and related symptoms in Northern Puerto Rico. FHA was strongly associated with asthma and its symptoms. Further research is recommended to look at genetics, sensitivity levels, indoor and outdoor pollution, and gene-environment interactions.

Keywords:

• prevalence
• childhood asthma
• wheezing illness
• family history
• Puerto Rico