Is the frequency of allergic disease in school age children in adana; 4th survey in 20 years

In this study, we aim to determine the prevalence of allergic diseases in the vicinity of Adana province, and to compare the results of our study to those obtained from the researches on prevalence which were conducted in our region. To that end, 3500 questionnaire forms were handed out to the children aged between 6 and 14, who are students in 13 primary education schools so that such forms are filled in by their parents. 3219 forms were gathered in turn. 10 of them were considered invalid, and 3209 questionnaire forms were included in the research. Asthma prevalence was detected to be 8.9% in Adana. Previous studies performed in our region had found the same ratio as 14.7% among those ranging in age from 6 to 14. Considering these results, a statistically significant reduction was established in asthma prevalence rate. (p=0,0001) The prevalence of allergic rhinitis, on the other hand, was determined to be 15.6% by our study. This is similar to those of previously-conducted researches in our region. Atopic dermatitis prevalence was detected as 6.9%. Previous studies had indicated 9.3% for the same; therefore it is possible to assert a reduction in atopic dermatitis prevalence over the course of past years. Our study also manifested that the rate of those who experience allergic reaction to any food was 8.9%., whereas the rate of those who have allergic reaction to any kind of drug was determined to be 3.7%. The rate of those who have experienced an unexpected reaction to bee, fly and incest stings up to the present was detected to be 3.7%. It was also determined that 0.3% of 3209 patients incorporated in the study had previous anaphylaxis history. When the children with asthma are compared to each other in terms of socio-economic status, the asthma rate among the children living in the regions with low level of socio-economic status was calculated to be 10.1%, while the same rate in the regions with high level of socio-economic status turned out to be 7.4%. This difference was also found to be statistically significant (p=0.008). No statistically significant difference was established when prevalence of allergic flu, atopic dermatitis, and food and drug allergy are examined in terms of socio-economic status. Examination of the children under study in terms of socio-economic status against insect allergy produced a statistically significant difference among study groups. Insect allergy rate among the children living in the regions with low level of socio-economic status was calculated to be 4.1%, while the same rate in the regions high level of socio-economic status was detected to be 1.3% (p=0.0001).