[Epidemiological survey and analysis on bronchial asthma in Guangdong Province].

OBJECTIVE

To survey asthma prevalence and risk factors of asthma in Guangdong and then to provide a basic consideration for research and preventive and therapeutic poliaes for control of asthma.

METHODS

Using uniform scheme, procedures and questionnaire, performing stratified-cluster-disproportional-random-sampling survey for the population in six areas: Santou, Shenzhen, Zhanjiang, Shaoguan, Fushan and Guangzhou; quantitative sample the prevalence rate quantitated is 1.5% (P = 0.015, q = 0.985), a sampling number stratified = 178 x 0.985/0.015 = 11,689, if the whole province were stratified into six areas, a total of 70,134 persons were supposed to be investigated, in this survey 71,867 subjects were actually examined; all the original data were inputted into soft discs in the same form of data base structure variable definition table, and then were statistically analyzed with spas 8.0 for windows on P III/450 computer, all the prevalence rates were compared by chi 2 test.

RESULTS

In this survey 676 asthmatics were found, the overall prevalence rate was 0.94%, the ratio of male to female was 1.38:1; the rate of adults was 0.99% and that of children was 0.73%, three groups with higher prevalence were children of preschool period (age < 7 years, 1.03%), young period (age 18-25 years, 1.00%) and senile period (age 66-75 years, 2.99%); the rate of city (Fushan, 1.38%) was higher than that of rural area (Zhanjiang, 0.47%); the rate of old district (1.70%) was higher than that of the new district (0.23%) in Guangzhou and the rate of historic city (Fushan, 1.38%) was higher than that of the newly developed city (Shenzhen, 0.64%); risk factors found among 676 asthmatics, persons keeping pets (cat, dog, fowl, bird) in home were reported by 46.0% (311/676), those keeping cat was 43.1% (134/311), particularly those keeping cat and both cat and dog accounted for 61.7% (192/311). Persons often exposed to side-stream smoke were reported by 54.7%. Asthmatics with allergic rhinititis were reported by 38.2%. The attack contributed to change temperature or to inhale cold air was 41.6% respectively.

CONCLUSION

This survey had basically reflected the distribution, Frequency and intensity of asthma, the overall prevalence rate was 0.94% from which it would be estimated that there could be 670,000 asthmatics in Guangdong; the relative data will provide basis for research work concerned and mass prevention and treatment of asthma.