1Department of Nursing, Inje University, Research Institute of Geriatric Health, Korea. lym312@inje.ac.kr 2Department of Dermatology, Inje University, Korea.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study was done to estimate the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) and its risk factors for AD in children living in the community.
METHOD: Random samples of 10,236 were selected from 43 kindergarten (1,418) and 57 elementary (8,718) students in K city. Data from 1,079 (kindergarten children) and 7,271 (elementary) students were used in the final analysis. The Korean-translated modified version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISSAC) questionnaire was used in this cross-sectional survey.
Parents answered the survey questionnaire.
RESULTS: The lifetime and last 12-month prevalence of AD were 40.15%; 30.86% in kindergarten children and 33.56%; 25.37% in elementary children. The lifetime and last 12-month prevalence of AD diagnosis were 40.8%; 18.68% in kindergarten children and 34.36%; 12.63% in elementary children. The lifetime prevalence of AD treatment was 25.93% in kindergarten children and 22.07% in elementary children.
Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that risk factors for AD were age, allergic disease, age of house, carpets, pets.
CONCLUSION: The study suggests that prevalence of AD has increased among children in the community. These data can be used to manage possible risk factors that are predictors of childhood AD.
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