Soller Lianne, Ben-Shoshan Moshe, Harrington Daniel W, Knoll Megan, Fragapane Joseph, Joseph Lawrence, St Pierre Yvan, La Vieille Sebastien, Wilson Kathi, Elliott Susan J, Clarke Ann E
Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Division of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2015 Jan-Feb;3(1):42-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2014.06.009. Epub 2014 Aug 28.
Studies suggest that individuals of low education and/or income, new Canadians (immigrated <10 years ago), and individuals of Aboriginal identity may have fewer food allergies than the general population. However, given the difficulty in recruiting such populations (hereafter referred to as vulnerable populations), by using conventional survey methodologies, the prevalence of food allergy among these populations in Canada has not been estimated.
To estimate the prevalence of food allergy among vulnerable populations in Canada, to compare with the nonvulnerable populations and to identify demographic characteristics predictive of food allergy.
By using 2006 Canadian Census data, postal codes with high proportions of vulnerable populations were identified and households were randomly selected to participate in a telephone survey. Information on food allergies and demographics was collected. Prevalence estimates were weighted by using Census data to account for the targeted sampling. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of food allergy.
Of 12,762 eligible households contacted, 5734 households completed the questionnaire (45% response rate). Food allergy was less common among adults without postsecondary education versus those with postsecondary education (6.4% [95% CI, 5.5%-7.3%] vs 8.9% [95% CI, 7.7%-10%]) and new Canadians versus those born in Canada (3.2% [95% CI, 2.2%-4.3%] vs 8.2% [95% CI, 7.4%-9.1%]). There was no difference in prevalence between those of low and of high income or those with and without Aboriginal identity.
Analysis of our data suggests that individuals of low education and new Canadians self-report fewer allergies, which may be due to genetics, environment, lack of appropriate health care, or lack of awareness of allergies, which reduces self-report.
研究表明，受教育程度低和/或收入低的人群、新加拿大人（10年前以内移民）以及具有原住民身份的人群，食物过敏的发生率可能低于普通人群。然而，鉴于招募这类人群（以下简称弱势群体）存在困难，采用传统调查方法，加拿大这些人群中食物过敏的患病率尚未得到评估。
评估加拿大弱势群体中食物过敏的患病率，与非弱势群体进行比较，并确定预测食物过敏的人口统计学特征。
利用2006年加拿大人口普查数据，确定弱势群体比例高的邮政编码区域，并随机选择家庭参与电话调查。收集有关食物过敏和人口统计学的信息。利用人口普查数据对患病率估计值进行加权，以考虑目标抽样。采用多变量逻辑回归确定食物过敏的预测因素。
在联系的12762户符合条件的家庭中，5734户完成了问卷调查（回复率45%）。未接受过高等教育的成年人中食物过敏的发生率低于接受过高等教育的成年人（6.4%[95%CI，5.5%-7.3%]对8.9%[95%CI，7.7%-10%]），新加拿大人低于加拿大出生的人（3.2%[95%CI，2.2%-4.3%]对8.2%[95%CI，7.4%-9.1%]）。低收入和高收入人群之间或有原住民身份和无原住民身份人群之间的患病率没有差异。
对我们数据的分析表明，受教育程度低的人群和新加拿大人自我报告的过敏较少，这可能是由于遗传、环境、缺乏适当的医疗保健或对过敏缺乏认识，从而减少了自我报告。
