The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

4130.1: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - 12:30 PM

Abstract #74658

Associations of Asthma Symptoms with Home Environmental Exposures

Mary E. Turyk, MPH, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (MC 922), University of Illinois at Chicago, 2121 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60402, 312-413-0172, mturyk1@uic.edu, Victoria Persky, MD, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (MC 923), University of Illinois at Chicago, 1603 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, Lenore Coover, RN, MSN, Pediatric Case management Services, 8833 Southmoor, Highland, IN 46322, Peter Scheff, PhD, School of Public Health/Occupational and Evironmental Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 914 S. Wood Street, M/C 684, Chicago, IL 60612, Luke Curits, Division of Extramural Research and Training, c/o National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, P.O. Box 12233, MD EC-21, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, Ana Sanchez, BA, Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 120 Penn St., Baltimore, MD 21201, and Julie M. Piorkowski, MPH, School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2121 W. Taylor, Chicago, IL 60612.

Previous studies have noted associations of asthma symptoms with environmental exposures in the home. We are completing baseline analyses from 61 low-income children with asthma whose families were participants in a small intervention trial. Household factors significantly related to selected asthma symptoms after control for age, gender, race, and sampling season included lack of air conditioning , holes in the wall/floor, pealing and crumbling walls, leaks in the ceiling/walls, not having a bedroom hamper, food eaten in the bedroom, washing bedding in cold water, and having more than three houseplants. Asthma symptoms were related to dust allergens and with mold levels in the air with multiple logistic regression analysis after control for age, race, gender, fall season, and dew point temperature. Wheezing attacks and sleep disturbed by wheezing were associated with penicillium; speech limited by wheezing, limited activity, and missed school were associated with yeast levels; dry cough at night was associated with dust mites; and night cough, speech limited by wheezing, wheezing with exercise, wheezing attacks, limited activity, and respiratory infection were associated with cockroach antigen. Currently, NIEHS is funding a more extensive trial examining the effect of peer education focused on modification of the home environment of pregnant women at risk for having children with asthma. Environmental factors being measured in the home include inspection of the home environment, dust allergens and endotoxin levels at baseline and every 1-2 years after the birth of the child. Associations of these factors with the subsequent development of asthma and allergic diseases will be explored.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Indoor Environment, Environmental Exposures

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Social Determinants of Health - Role of Behavioral and Social Factors in Exposures to Environmental Hazards in the Home

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA