PREVALENCE OF CHILDHOOD ASTHMA SYMPTOMS IN AN INDUSTRIAL SUBURB OF CHRISTCHURCH

Aim. In response to community concern about the possible respiratory e ffects of emissions from a fertiliser plant, a study was carried out t o determine whether the prevalence of asthma symptoms in 5-8 yr old ch ildren in an industrial suburb of Christchurch (Hornby) was the same a s in the rest of Christchurch. Methods. A sample of 646 children aged 5-8 years in Hornby was compared with 1183 6-7 year old children rando mly selected from schools throughout the Christchurch metropolitan are a. The Christchurch sample was part of the International Study of Asth ma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) carried out during 1993. ISAAC q uestionnaires on respiratory symptoms with some additional questions a bout smoking and pets were answered by the caregivers of the children sampled. Results. Response rates were 97% in Hornby and 94% in Christc hurch. Of the sample, 29% (Hornby) and 27% (Christchurch) had 'wheeze in the last 12 months' while 45% of Hornby and 44% of Christchurch chi ldren had 'ever wheezed', 28% had 'ever had asthma'. Significantly mor e children in Hornby (44%) were exposed to passive smoking compared to Christchurch (29%). Indoor pets were present in 73% and 67% of homes, respectively. Conclusion. There was no evidence of an increase in ast hma symptoms reported in children in the industrial area of Hornby.