%0 Journal Article
%T Conditions Associated with Childhood Asthma in North Texas
%A Patricia Newcomb
%A Alaina Cyr
%J ISRN Allergy
%D 2012
%R 10.5402/2012/823608
%X Introduction. The purpose of this study was to identify significant associations between asthma diagnosis, comorbid conditions, and social problems in children. Method. This study explored data collected in a unique, regional survey of childrenĄ¯s health in north Texas originally administered in 2009 to a random sample of 21,530 households with children from 0 to 14 years of age. Descriptive statistics were compiled for the subsample of children with asthma, associations of interest were identified, and strengths of relevant associations were calculated. Results. The prevalence of asthma in school-aged children in the target area is 19¨C25%, which exceeds both national and state values. Statistically significant associations were found between asthma and allergies, sleep problems, and tonsillectomy. Significant associations were identified between asthma and school absences, academic problems, and behavior problems in school. There was a significantly greater prevalence of obesity/overweight among children with asthma than without asthma. Discussion. Children with asthma are at high risk for impairment in multiple dimensions. Thorough assessment, including comprehensive medical, social, and environmental histories, is critical in management of pediatric asthma. 1. Introduction Asthma affects individuals of all ages, but in childhood, asthma is the most common chronic disease after dental caries [1]. It is an important public health problem in the United States and its impact is influenced by both genetics and environment. Geography is strongly associated with variations in asthma prevalence. Some densely populated areas in the United States, such as the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Hawaii, experience childhood asthma prevalence rates as high as 17¨C22% while less populated areas, such as Iowa, Montana, and Nevada, report childhood asthma prevalence as low as 8-9% [2]. There is little information on variations in regions smaller than states. As more investigations of complex interactions between genes, environment, and lifestyle are conducted, urban/regional development (the expansion of built environments into natural areas) as well as natural characteristics of regions may play a greater role in judging the relevance of research findings about children with asthma [3]. Tarrant and six surrounding counties comprise the western end of the Dallas-Fort Worth urban corridor in Texas. This region is interesting in the study of childhood asthma because of high asthma prevalence, a history of poor air quality, rapid development, and abundance of natural
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.allergy/2012/823608/