Influencing factors of allergic diseases among preschool children in Wuhu, Anhui Province

Objective To investigate the prevalence of allergic disease among preschool children in Wuhu, Anhui Province and analyze factors associated with it, so as to provide evidence for its prevention and intervention.

Methods Stratified random sampling method was used to select 7 kindergartens in 2 districts of Wuhu. Questionnaire survey was used to collect basic information of children and allergic diseases, and to investigate the factors associated with child allergic diseases through univariate and mutivariate ananlysis.

Results A total of 2 201 valid questionnaires were collected in this survey, including 1 158 boys and 1 043 girls. The incidence of allergic diseases among preschool children in Wuhu was 37.39% (823 cases), among which eczema, allergic rhinitis, food allergy, drug allergy, asthma and allergic conjunctivitis were 29.17%, 8.95%, 6.73%, 2.99%, 2.82% and 1.36%, respectively. The incidence of allergic rhinitis in boys was higher than that in girls (χ² = 21.982, P < 0.001), while the incidence of drug allergy in boys was lower than that in girls (χ² = 5.924, P = 0.015). The incidence of asthma (χ² = 5.419, P = 0.02), allergic rhinitis (χ² = 13.791, P < 0.001), allergic conjunctivitis (χ² = 8.898, P = 0.003), food allergy (χ² = 4.496, P = 0.034), and total allergic disease (χ² = 9.587, P = 0.002) in 5 − 6 year old group were higher than those in 3 − 4 year old group. Univariate analysis showed that mother’s education level (χ² = 8.891, P = 0.003), father’s education level (χ² = 4.499, P = 0.034), one child family (χ² = 13.349, P < 0.001), secondhand smoke exposure of mother (χ² = 5.080, P = 0.024) were associated with child allergic diseases. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that children’s age of 3 − 4 (OR = 0.732, 95% CI: 0.613 − 0.875), mother’s education level of high school or below (OR = 0.692, 95% CI: 0.550 − 0.871), and non-exposure to secondhand smoke of mother (OR = 0.786, 95% CI: 0.632 − 0.977) were protective factors, while one child family (OR = 1.366, 95% CI: 1.120 − 1.666) was the risk factor of child allegic diseases.

Conclusion  The incidence of allergic diseases among preschool children in Wuhu is at a relatively high level. It is suggested that certain measures should be taken for child allergic diseases, prevention and intervention by maternal and child health workers, especially health education focusing on families with only children aged 5 − 6 should be strengthened.