Farm Exposures and Allergic Disease Among Children Living in a Rural Setting

ABSTRACT

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between farm exposures and asthma and allergic disease in children while also highlighting the experiences of non-farm rural children.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional analysis of data collected from across the province of Saskatchewan, Canada in 2014. Surveys were completed by parents of 2275 rural dwelling children (farm and non-farm) aged 0 to 17 years within 46 rural schools. Questionnaires were distributed through schools for parents to complete.

Results

Asthma prevalence was 7.6%, of which 29.5% of cases were allergic. After adjustment for potential confounders, home location (farm vs non-farm) and other farm exposures were not associated with asthma and asthma phenotypes. Those who completed farm safety education were more likely to have asthma (11.7% vs. 6.7%; p = .001) compared to children without asthma. In sub-analyses among 6–12-year-old children, boys were more likely to have asthma (non-allergic) and use short-acting beta-agonists compared to girls. Doing farm work in the summer was associated with an increased risk of asthma [adjusted OR (aOR) = 1.71 (1.02–2.88); p = .041]. Doing routine chores with large animals was associated with an increased risk of asthma [aOR = 1.83 (1.07–3.15); p = .027] and allergic asthma [aOR = 2.37 (95%CI = 1.04–5.40); p = .04].

Conclusion

The present study showed that the prevalence of asthma and asthma phenotypes were similar between farm and non-farm rural children. There did not appear to be differential involvement in farming activities between those with and without asthma although those with asthma had more training suggesting possible attempts to mitigate harm from farm exposures.

Keywords:

• Farm
• allergic diseases
• children
• rural

Acknowledgments

We thank the participating school districts and administrators in the province of Saskatchewan for their facilitation of data collection, as well as the participating families for their contributions to this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Author contribution

LC conceptualized and designed the study, carried out the initial analyses and interpretation of the data, drafted the initial manuscript, reviewed and revised the manuscript and approved the final manuscript. DR, SK, DC, JG, WP, JD critically reviewed the manuscript and approved the final manuscript. JL designed the recruitment strategy, coordinated and supervised data collection, critically reviewed the manuscript and approved the final manuscript. All authors approved submission of the final manuscript to Paediatrics & Child Health. All authors accept accountability for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. The corresponding author confirms full access to all aspects of the research and writing process and takes final responsibility for this paper.

Additional information

Funding

This research was conducted with support from Canadian Institutes of Health Research Operating Grant 200109MOP-230156 – PH1-CEDA-56847 ‘Saskatchewan Farm Injury Cohort – Phase 2’. Financial disclosure: The authors have indicated they have no financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose