[Comparison of respiratory diseases and symptoms among school-age children in areas with different levels of air pollution].

OBJECTIVE

To compare the differences of children's health in different area, and to confirm if the prevalence of respiratory diseases and symptoms among children are closely associated with the air pollution.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban area A and a suburban area B with different levels of air pollution in Beijing. Using a cluster sampling method, we recruited 4 564 children from 3 primary schools in urban A and 4 primary schools in suburban B. Respiratory symptoms were investigated using an international standardized questionnaire including characteristics of children, living conditions, respiratory diseases and symptoms and situation of parents. The concentrations of air pollutants for recent five years were obtained from Reports on the Quality of the Beijing Environment. SPSS 16.0 was used to analyze data.

RESULTS

The prevalence of cough, persistent cough, phlegm, persistent phlegm, wheeze and asthma in A area were higher than those in B area [(62.2% vs. 59.9%), (6.3% vs. 3.1%), (42.4% vs. 37.4%),(3.6% vs. 2.4%),(13.3% vs. 9.9%)and(9.5% vs. 5.4%)]. Except for cough, cough with cold, cough without cold, the prevalence of respiratory diseases and symptoms in A area were significantly higher than those in B area (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed the prevalence of persistent cough, phlegm without cold, asthma in A area were significantly higher than those in B area (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Respiratory diseases and symptoms among school-age children were closely associated with the level of air pollution.