2024 Volume 3 Issue 2 Pages 131-139
Background: The WHO Collaborating Center at Dokkyo Medical University conducted a survey in Ulaanbaatar in 2009 on the prevalence of pediatric asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR). We report on a follow-up survey done in 2021 to measure changes since 2009 and identify risk factors.
Methods: Questionnaire based on International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood with modifications was used in 2009 and 2021. The parent (s) of 200 boys and 200 girls, 6-7 years old, were randomly selected from and interviewed at the 10 clinic areas used in 2009. 50% were city districts and 50% were urban districts. Statistical data was analyzed using odds ratios analysis and chi-square testing.
Results: Comparing 2009 and 2021, prevalence of AR decreased by 13.6%. In houses where there was exposure to tobacco smoke, AR decreased by 21.3% from 64.0% to 42.7%. In children with asthma, AR decreased by 9.8% from 25.8% to 16.0%. In children with respiratory infection when <1 year old, AR decreased by 7.9% from 41.8% to 33.9%.
Conclusion: In comparing 2009 and 2021, the significance was greater between children with than without AR, with P < 0.001 for those exposed to tobacco smoke, and P < 0.005 for those with asthma. There was no significance for children with a history of respiratory infection when <1 year old. There was significance of exposure to tobacco smoke and having asthma as risk factors for AR but not for children with a history of respiratory infection when <1 year old.
