| Abstract [eng] |
FOOD ALLERGY PREVALENCE AMONG 5-th – 9-th FORMS SCHOOLCHILDREN IN VILNIUS SUMMARY Research aim: To evaluate the incidence of food allergies among 5th - 9th grade schoolchildren in Vilnius. Also to determine the incidence of food allergies among girls and boys as well as in separate age groups, to measure and determine the incidence of food allergy symptoms and to evaluate the incidence of the usage of allergy evoking food products. 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 11.0 and WinPepi 1.55 program (applying traditional statistical methods). The prevalence of food 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: Food allergy prevalence rate among the 5th-9th grades schoolchildren was 12,8%. 1,3% respondents had urticaria, 1,9% - atopic dermatitis. The prevalence of food allergy was similar among boys and girls (12,7% and 13,0% respectively). The morbidity of atopic dermatitis and urticaria among boys and girls was also the same. The largest prevalence of food allergy in different age groups was 11-year-olds – 18,9%, 16-year-olds – 16,7% and 15-year-olds – 16,0%, the mean prevalence – 12-year-olds – 11,0%, 13-year-olds – 10,6%, 14-year-olds – 10,6% and the least prevalence was 10-year-olds – 8%. In families, where there are family members having food allergies, these diseases among children are almost twice as frequent. Children, having food allergies, most often complained of: body rash (34,8%), running eyes and itchiness (27,5%), sneezing attacks (23,2%), skin itchiness (21,7%), hard breathing (18,8%), choking (14,5%). Children, who have food allergies, evaluated their health worse than healthy ones. Children having food allergies most often claimed of not being able to eat onions – 23,5% children said so – 22% of schoolchildren can’t eat chocolate, 16,7% of respondents can’t take milk and fish, least children state they are not able to eat apples and cherries (3,8% and 3,0% respectively) and 3,0% of children can’t eat peaches. Among children with food allergies eating milk (PRR=5,053; CI 95% 2,50-10,19; p=0,015), strawberries (PRR=10,667; CI 95% 3,05-37,35; p=0,018) and nuts (PRR=10,667; CI 95% 3,05-37,35; p=0,018) create greater risk of getting atopic dermatitis. Conclusions: The research, intended for determining the prevalence of food allergy among schoolchildren, in order to clarify food allergy symptoms and allergy evoking food products has never been performed in Lithuania before. According to the results of our research, food 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 food allergy and its risk factors and to provide prevention. |
