IngentaConnect Asthma and allergies in schoolchildren of Maputo

Authors: Mavale-Manuel, S.; Joaquim, O.¹; Macome, C.²; Almeida, L.²; Nunes, E.³; Daniel, A.³; Malichocho, J.²; Pedro, A.²; Bandeira, S.²; Eduardo, E.²; Maciel, L.²; Constance, E.¹; Marques, S.¹; Tembe, A.¹; de Blic, J.⁴; Annesi-Maesano, I.

Source: Allergy, Volume 62, Number 3, March 2007 , pp. 265-271(7)

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

Abstract:

Aim:

The study aimed to determine prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinitis and eczema in Maputo, Mozambique. Methods:

The International Study of Asthma and Allergies (ISAAC) protocol was applied in 27 schools in urban, suburban and semi-rural areas. Results:

A total of 2630 completed questionnaires were obtained from students aged 13-14 years, and 2383 from schoolchildren aged 6-7 years. The prevalence of current asthma was 13.3% in the two groups, the prevalence of rhinoconjuctivitis and eczema was 23% and 10% in teenagers and 8.8% and 8.5% respectively in children 6-7 years old. Overall, 35% of the adolescents and 23.8% of children were found to have at least one atopic condition or asthma in the last year. In symptomatic adolescents, the conditions were: rhinoconjuctivitis (41.3%), asthma (20%) and eczema (12.4%). In symptomatic children, asthma was the principal condition (36.2%), followed by eczema (20.3%) and rhinoconjunctivitis (19.1%). In adolescents, asthma was more frequently associated with rhinoconjuctivitis (28%). About 4% of all surveyed children had three atopic conditions associated. In adolescents, past year rhinitis was more frequent and severe in the urban area. Hay fever was commoner in the semi-urban area. Eczema was significantly more recurrent in suburban and semi-rural area. Exercise-induced wheeze, nocturnal cough and ever asthma were more reported in children of suburban area. Conclusion:

Asthma and allergic diseases are important public health problems in Maputo and improvement in prevention and management plans are required.

Keywords: allergy; asthma; children; eczema; Mozambique

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2006.01251.x

Affiliations: 1: Faculty of Medicine, University Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique 2: Department of Paediatrics, Maputo Central Hospital, Mozambique 3: Department of Medicine, Maputo Central Hospital, Maputo, Mozambique 4: Hospital Necker Enfants-Malades, Paris, France

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