Prevalence of wheeze among preschool children in Basra governonate, southern Iraq

View/ Open
Abstract
A community-based survey was carried out in Basra governorate, Iraq, to estimate the prevalence of wheeze among children under 5 years old and to identify possible risk factors. It was found that 15.8% of the 424 preschool children enrolled in the study had a history of wheeze. More wheezy children lived in the city [16.3%] than in the rural area [15.0%]. Family history of asthma in first-degree relatives was significantly associated with wheeze [44.8% of children with wheeze versus 15.1% without wheeze]. Other household factors-parents' low educational level, formula or supplemental feeding as a baby, overcrowding, smoking at home, pet ownership and using kerosene-were associated with wheeze, but the results were not statistically significant. The role of environmental factors and feeding patterns needs to be further evaluatedCitation
Salem, M.B., Al Sadoon, I.O. & Hassan, M.K. (2002). Prevalence of wheeze among preschool children in Basra governonate, southern Iraq. EMHJ - Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 8 (4-5), 503-508, 2002 https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/119192