| Abstract [eng] |
HOME ALLERGY PREVALENCE AMONG 5-th – 9-th FORMS SCHOOLCHILDREN IN VILNIUS SUMMARY Researsh aim: The research is performed seeking to evaluate the prevalence of home allergy, its symptoms and hygienic customs, significant for its manifestation, among the 5th – 9th grade schoolchildren in Vilnius. Moreover, we tried to determine the prevalence of allergic diseases among boys and girls and in different age groups. Methods: 540 10 – 16-year old schoolchildren of the 5th – 9th grades from basic and high schools in Vilnius, who agreed to take part in the investigation, were questioned. In order to reach the investigation goal and accomplish its tasks, a cross-sectional epidemiological research was carried out. The research was performed using anonymous questionnaire survey. The questionnaire was composed using World Health Organization guidelines for investigating the prevalence of allergic diseases. Statistical package Epi Data was used to compose data and statistical data analysis was performed using statistical package SPSS for Windows 11.0 and WinPepi 1.55 program (applying traditional statistical methods). The prevalence of home allergy is expressed using percents, confidence interval (CI) 95% is determined for measuring the evaluation accuracy and χ square method and Fisher‘s exact test are used for categorical data analysis. In order to evaluate the risk factors, the prevalence rate ratio (PRR) and confidence interval (CI) 95% were counted down. Statistical significance level α=0,05 was used, p<0,05 – the difference is statistically significant. Results: The investigation results reveal that the prevalence of home allergy reaches 18,4% level. The prevalence of home allergy is greater among boys than girls (19,9% and 16,9% respectively), however, this difference is not statistically significant (2=0,589; p=0,443). In separate age groups the largest prevalence rate was 15-year-olds – 25,0% and 14-year-olds – 21,8%. The prevalence rate 11-year-olds – 18,0%, 12-year-olds – 17,9%, and the least prevalence13-year-olds – 15,1%. There are other people with allergic diseases in the families of one third of children having home allergy. Children having home allergy most often complain of frequently running nose (40,4%), attacks of runny eyes and itchiness (20,2%), hard breathing (19,2%), sneezing attacks (16,2%), body rash (16,2%), skin itchiness (15,2%), choking (6,1%). Children, having home allergy, evaluated their health worse than healthy ones. When compared to healthy ones, children having home allergy are more sensitive to medications (13,1% and 32,7% respectively) and cosmetics (9,0% and 21,6% respectively). There were more children having home allergy, whose bathroom walls and ceiling had black spots on them (source of micromicetes) than healthy ones (7,1% and 1,4% respectively). We determined that wiping dust less than 2 times per week is a risk factor for developing a home allergy (PRR=1,346), (p<0,05). Conclusion: The research, intended for determining the prevalence of home allergy among schoolchildren, in order to clarify home allergy symptoms and allergy evoking allergens has never been performed in Lithuania before. According to the results of our research, home allergy is a serious problem among schoolchildren in Vilnius; therefore it is necessary to expand scientific research nationwide in Lithuania, seeking to evaluate the prevalence of home allergy and its risk factors and to provide prevention. |
