Prevalence and Risk Factors of Asthma and Atopic Diseases in Pre-School Education Centers in Afyonkarahisar

Aim: We aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of asthma and atopic diseases in preschool education centers in Afyonkarahisar. Material and Method: Of the 1288 children in 41 preschool education centers in Afyonkarahisar, 1084 children, whose parents have approved the study, were accepted. A standard questionnaire interrogating sociodemographical status, presence and risk factors of asthma and atopic diseases was filled by the parents of the children. Results: The mean age of 1084 children was 5.7 ± 0.7 (3-6), 505 (46.6%) of them were girls and 579 (53.4%) were boys. The prevalence of asthma was 3.1%, allergic rhinitis 5.0% and eczema 1.8%. Presence of asthma or an atopic disease in the family was significantly higher in the group with asthma (44.1%) than without (25.5 %)(P=0.015). Intake of breast milk in the infancy was significantly low in the group with asthma (P=0.039). Presence of an allergic disease in the family was found to cause a 2.3 folds and absence of breast milk intake a 2.7 folds increase in the risk for asthma. In the children with asthma, wheesing and allergic rhinitis frequency was significantly high. While there was no difference in froguency of eczema. Conclusion: Presence of an allergic disease in the family and a bsence of breast milk intake in the infancy was found as significant risk factors for asthma in 3-6 age children in pre-school education centers.