RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENT IN RELATION TO RESPIRATORY AND ASTHMA SYMPTOMS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN DIN DAENG DISTRICT BANGKOK THAILAND

Abstract

Background: Environmental factors have played important role to children health. Limited studies were focused on residential environments and respiratory symptoms among children living in urban area. Our study sought to 1) estimate prevalence of respiratory and asthma symptoms, and 2) examine the association between children characteristic / residential environments with the symptoms among primary school children in urban area of Bangkok, Thailand. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 658 primary school children aged 6 to 10 years between April and May 2018. Self-reported questionnaire from child’s parent was used as a measurement tool. Children’s history of respiratory and asthma symptoms within 1 year was modified from International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Binary logistic regression models were performed to find the associations. Results: Running nose without cold symptom was the highest reported respiratory and asthma symptom in the past 12 months (52.7%). Living in tenant residence was significantly associated with wheezing or whistling in the chest (asthma) (AOR = 2.362, 95%CI 1.156-4.828). Having garment/clothing shop near residence was significantly associated with shortness of breath (AOR = 1.935, 95%CI 1.060-3.529). Living in cigarette smoke area was significantly associated with dry cough at night (AOR = 1.887, 95%CI 1.075-3.309). Living in incense smoke area was significantly associated with shortness of breath (AOR = 3.767, 95%CI 1.183-11.990). Having doll in bedroom was significantly associated with dry cough at night (AOR = 2.610; 95%CI 1.720-3.959), phlegm (AOR = 2.375; 95%CI 1.618-3.488), shortness of breath (AOR = 2.440; 95%CI 1.164-5.11), and running nose without cold (AOR = 2.265; 95%CI 1.558-3.291) symptoms. Wall dampness near children’s bedroom was significantly associated with shortness of breath (AOR = 3.435; 95%CI 1.297-9.098), and running nose without cold (AOR = 2.331; 95%CI 1.034-5.257). Conclusions: Residential environments including tenant status, garment/clothing shop near residence, cigarette smoke, incense smoke, doll, window, and wall dampness were positive significantly associated with respiratory and asthma symptoms. Further intervention to improve residential environment should be considered to reduce respiratory and asthma symptoms among urban children.