A study on dampness and its associations with asthma and allergies among 20103 young children in Sweden, Bulgaria and Singapore

Abstract

Large international multi-center studies have shown significant differences between regions with respect to prevalence and severity of asthma and allergies. In a multitude of studies from different countries adverse health effects among children have been associated with exposure to dampness in homes. Since countries differ in climate, culture, socioeconomic factors, housing characteristics and indoor air pollution sources, these diversities are likely to cause important differences in exposures to dampness. Results from studies in three different countries and climates (Sweden, Bulgaria and Singapore) using mainly the same questionnaire and investigation techniques are compared. There were major differences in prevalence of asthma and allergic symptoms among the 3 countries - doctor-diagnosed asthma, 4.4 to 7.7%; rhinitis, 11.1 to 28.0%; eczema, 12.7 to 18.7%. We also found large variations in the frequencies of dampness indicators (visible damp stains and mold) - Sweden, 1.6%; Bulgaria, 35.5%; Singapore, 6.5%. Despite these large variations, associations (adjusted odds ratio) with asthma and allergies symptoms appear to be quite close for the three countries - doctor-diagnosed asthma, 1.21 to 1.67; rhinitis, 1.38 to 2.07; eczema, 1.25 to 1.40.