Risk Factors for Childhood Asthma in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on NHANES 1999-2000 Data

Alvarez-Garriga, Carolina, Risk Factors for Childhood Asthma in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on NHANES 1999-2000 Data. Doctor of Public Health (Epidemiology), May 2005, 114 pp., 18 tables, 4 figures, bibliography, 93 titles. The purpose of this study was to identify and assess risk factors for childhood asthma. A total of 158 asthmatics were compared to 1,104 non-asthmatics regarding selected factors by using the multiple logistic regression adjusted odds ratio as a measure of association. A 2.3 times higher prevalence (13.8 per 100) was found for the U.S. than that reported in the previous national surveys (NHANES III) during 1994 (5.9 per 100). Males and all race/ethnic minorities showed higher probability to have asthma. Income was inversely related to having asthma, and, among other results, renting a house, low birthweight, hay fever, chickenpox, learning disabilities, ear infections, trouble seeing even with glasses, and not covered by private insurance had higher chance of having asthma. Childhood asthma is still alarmingly increasing, and results from this study about high-risk groups and modifiable factors can be used for public health interventions.