The prevalence of childhood asthma, respiratory symptoms and associated air pollution sources among adolescent learners in selected schools in Vhembe District, South Africa

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of childhood asthma and respiratory symptoms with their associated air pollution sources among adolescents aged 13–14 years residing in a Malaria-endemic region. METHODS : A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 2855 adolescents from fourteen (14) selected schools in communities exposed to high levels of air pollution from indoor residual spraying (IRS) that is used for malaria vector control in the Vhembe region. Data were collected using a self-administered standardized International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. Statistical software STATA version 17 was used to analyze the data. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between air pollution sources and childhood asthma/symptoms. RESULTS : The prevalences of asthma, ‘wheeze ever’ and ‘wheeze in the past’ were 18.91%, 37.69% and 24.69%, respectively. The results from the adjusted binary logistic regression model indicated that exposure to tobacco smoke (OR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.08–3.16), smoking a water pipe (OR = 1.65; 95% CI: 1.16–2.36) and the use of paraffin as fuel for heating (OR = 1.70; 95% CI: 0.97–2.88) and cooking (OR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.29–1.00) were significant risk factors for asthma. Trucks passing through the streets, having a cat at home and using open fires were significantly associated with ‘wheeze in the past’. Finally, using gas for cooking (OR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.53–0.99), open fires for heating (OR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.35–0.80) and smoking a water pipe (OR = 2.47; 95% CI: 1.78–3.44) were associated with ‘wheeze ever’. CONCLUSIONS : School children living in these communities had an increased risk of developing asthma and presenting with wheezing due to exposure to environmental air pollution sources.