Author/Authors :
Mohammad, Y. Tishreen University - Department of Internal Medicine, Syria , Tabbah, K. University of Aleppo - Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Section, Syria , Mohammad, S. Military Health Services - Department of Paediatrics, Syria , Yassine, F. Tishreen University - Department of Internal Medicine, Syria , Clayton, T. University of Auckland - Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, New Zealand , Hassan, M. Tishreen University - High Institute of Maritime Research, Syria
Abstract :
The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) uses standardized symptom-based questionnaires to describe the prevalence of symptoms of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema in children worldwide. Three governorates in the Syrian Arab Republic (Aleppo, Lattakia and Tartous) participated in ISAAC phase 3 in 2001–03. Adolescents in the 13–14 year age group and parents of the 6–7-year-old children completed the questionnaire about asthma symptoms. The prevalence of current symptoms of asthma (wheezing in the last 12 months) in different centres ranged from 4.7% to 5.7% for 6–7-year-olds and 3.9% to 6.5% for 13–14-year-olds. In 13–14-year-olds the prevalence of severe speech-limiting wheeze was 2.0%–3.5%, of rhinoconjunctivitis was 8.6%–14.6% and of eczema was 3.3%–4.2%.
