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Asthma among schoolchildren in the Barwon region of Victoria
journal contribution
posted on 2007-08-20, 00:00 authored by Peter VuillerminPeter Vuillermin, M South, J Carlin, M Biscan, Sharon Brennan-OlsenSharon Brennan-Olsen, C RobertsonObjectives: To determine (i) the relationship between asthma management and socioeconomic status; (ii) whether recent estimates from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) conducted in Melbourne apply to a broader cross-section of Victorian children; and (iii) age-related trends in asthma prevalence.
Main outcome measures: Parent-reported wheeze and wheeze-related use of health resources during the preceding 12 months.
Results: Questionnaires were returned by 7813/9258 students (84%). Lower socioeconomic status was associated with increased frequency of regular asthma reviews (P < 0.01 for trend), but not of emergency department visits (P = 0.19). The prevalence of wheeze among 6- and 7-year-old children in the Barwon region was similar to that in Melbourne children (20.2% v 20.0%, respectively).There was an age-related increase in the proportion of children with ≥ 12 episodes of wheeze (P = 0.01); but an age-related decrease in emergency department visits (P = 0.02).
Conclusions: Disadvantaged children have good access to regular asthma reviews and are no more likely to attend an emergency department with an episode of acute wheeze. Asthma prevalence in 6- and 7-year-old children in the Barwon region is similar to that in Melbourne. The prevalence of children with very frequent wheeze increases with age, but their use of health resources decreases.
Main outcome measures: Parent-reported wheeze and wheeze-related use of health resources during the preceding 12 months.
Results: Questionnaires were returned by 7813/9258 students (84%). Lower socioeconomic status was associated with increased frequency of regular asthma reviews (P < 0.01 for trend), but not of emergency department visits (P = 0.19). The prevalence of wheeze among 6- and 7-year-old children in the Barwon region was similar to that in Melbourne children (20.2% v 20.0%, respectively).There was an age-related increase in the proportion of children with ≥ 12 episodes of wheeze (P = 0.01); but an age-related decrease in emergency department visits (P = 0.02).
Conclusions: Disadvantaged children have good access to regular asthma reviews and are no more likely to attend an emergency department with an episode of acute wheeze. Asthma prevalence in 6- and 7-year-old children in the Barwon region is similar to that in Melbourne. The prevalence of children with very frequent wheeze increases with age, but their use of health resources decreases.
History
Journal
Medical journal of AustraliaVolume
187Issue
4Pagination
221 - 224Publisher
Australasian Medical Publishing CompanyLocation
Strawberry Hills, N. S. W.ISSN
0025-729XeISSN
1326-5377Language
engPublication classification
C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2007, Australasian Medical Publishing CompanyUsage metrics
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