The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #64477

Noreen M. Clark, PhD¹, Zhongxin M. Gong, MD¹, Jian Jimmy Yu, PhD Candidate², Lise Anderson, MPH¹, Manlan Liu, MA¹, Melissa Valerio, MPH³, Edith A. Parker, DrPH³, Zhechun Zeng, BS⁴, Guexien Wu, MD⁴, and Zhaosu Wu, MD⁴. (1) Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 109 S. Observatory Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, 734-763-5454, nmclark@umich.edu, (2) Biostatistics, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, 1420 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, (3) Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1420 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, (4) Epidemiology, Beijing Institue of Heart, Lung, & Blood Vessel Diseases, Anzhenli, Andingmenwai, Beijing, 100029, China

Measured by the same screening instrument in a previous study, the prevalence rate of asthma among 8,761school children in Beijing (7%) was only one third the rate of 3,433 children in Detroit (20%). This study examined the relationships between asthma symptoms and triggers, and house environmental factors in the two sites. Data were collected from 560 parents of children with asthma in Beijing and 830 in Detroit. Multivariate and univariate regression models controlling for age, gender, and income were conducted and Relative Risk (rr) were computed. Triggers in Beijing: air pollution (rr=2.28), dust (rr=2.27), and tobacco smoke (rr=1.81) were the three most important triggers to a child’s daytime symptoms. Nighttime symptoms were most likely to be triggered by the same factors plus colds/flu (rr=2.05). Triggers in Detroit: Daytime symptoms: were triggered by pets (rr=1.97), tobacco smoke (rr=1.56), and pollen, trees, grass (rr=1.40); and nighttime symptoms: pets (rr=2.17), air pollution (rr-1.72), and dust (rr=1.71). Environmental Factors in Beijing: Daytime symptoms were most associated with carpets in kitchen (rr=2.46) and family room (rr=1.75), and water leaks (rr=2.16); while nighttime symptoms: carpets in kitchen (rr=3.43), water leaks (rr=1.85), and rodents in the house (rr=1.85). Environmental Factors in Detroit: Daytime symptoms were most associated with moisture/mold/mildew (rr=1.41), water leaks (rr=1.38), and rodents in the house (rr=1.26); and nighttime: carpets (rr=1.67), moisture/mold/mildew (rr=1.11), and sleeping with stuffed animals (rr=1.35). Unique factors in Detroit were pets, grass, pollen, and stuffed animals, and in Beijing colds/flu. Findings may serve as clues for variations in asthma prevalence.

Learning Objectives:

• Asthma is a public health problem worldwide.
• Triggers & house environmental factors related to asthma symptoms are different in Beijing and Detroit.
• Differences of related factors may serve as clues for variations in asthma morbidity between populations. 3.

Keywords: Asthma, Children

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.