[Prevalence and risk factors for allergic conjunctivitis in children. Comparative study in two communities].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence and risk factors for allergic conjunctivitis in childhood populations, in two communities with different urban and industrial development, and population density.

METHODS

A questionnaire was applied to childhood from 6 to 14 years old, selected through cluster sampling. This was an epidemiologic study, observational, open, retrospective and cross-sectional. This is a case-control study with cohorts. Statistical analysis consisted in frequency distributions, odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals. Statistical significance was p < 0.05.

RESULTS

In the population El Higo, at Veracruz state, where sugar industry is the most important commercial activity, allergic conjunctivitis prevalence was 9.7%; allergic family antecedent was found in 79.74% of patients (p = 0.001, OR = 8.1); nicotinism at home in 12.65% (p = 0.001, OR = 0.34); factory near of patients' house in 65.82% (p = 0.001, OR = 3.5). In Tampico-Madero-Altamira suburb, the prevalence of the pathology was 10.09%; allergic family antecedent 58.89% (p = 0.001, OR = 2.52%); nicotinism at home 36.25% (p = 0.59, OR = 1.06); factory near of house 21.01% (p = 0.03, OR = 1.29).

CONCLUSIONS

Results let us to know the problem that health staff will cope when facing allergic conjunctivitis; that results will be important for strategies designing, in order to establish preventive actions to take in the health-disease evolution of this pathology.