Effects of home environment on childhood asthma and allergies in subtropical South China

Abstract

Association between home environment and childhood asthma and allergies among preschool children in subtropical South China is unclear. We investigated doctor-diagnosed asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis (AR) in preschool children due to the exposure to indoor dampness and residential environment. One thousand nine hundred forty-six children (3–6 years) from 22 kindergartens in Foshan participated in this study in May 2016. Associations between home environment and childhood asthma, eczema and AR were analysed by using multivariate logistic regression model in terms of odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The prevalence of doctor-diagnosed childhood asthma, eczema and AR in Foshan was respectively 4.6%, 34.8% and 15.5%, respectively. Family member's atopy significantly increased the risk of developing asthma, eczema and AR, and the ORs were respectively 2.663 (95% CI: 1.716–4.132), 1.810 (95%CI: 1.461–2.243) and 4.194 (95%CI: 3.218–5.467). The high humidity in children's room was a significant risk to preschool children's eczema and AR. The surrounding environment was significantly associated with childhood eczema. Our study indicates that controlling the indoor dampness and allowing less natural ventilation if living near artery or industrial area are needed to reduce the risk of childhood eczema and AR in South China.