OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence and incidence of asthma among children aged 0-14 years, with different living environments, economic levels, and sanitary conditions, in the urban and rural areas of Chengdu, China, and their influential factors.

METHODSChildren aged 0-14 years who were selected from urban, suburban and rural areas of Chengdu, were included in the study. The subjects were selected from all children aged 0-14 years in schools, kindergartens and communities by random, cluster and non-proportional sampling. Parents were surveyed by questionnaire to find out suspected cases, which were then confirmed by inquiry and physical examination in the department of respiratory medicine. All the obtained data were analyzed using SPSS/PC statistical software.

RESULTSA total of 12082 children from the urban areas, 5677 from suburban areas and 5590 from the rural areas were included in the study. Of all the subjects, 551 (4.56%) had confirmed asthma, 150 (2.64%) had cough variant asthma (CVA), and 142 (2.54%) had suspected asthma. The prevalence rate of asthma was significantly higher in the urban areas than in the suburban and rural areas. The correct rate of diagnosis of asthma and CVA was highest in the urban areas, followed by the suburban and rural areas. Use of antibiotics and systemic corticosteroids was most common in the rural areas, followed by the suburban and urban areas, but this pattern was reversed for use of inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene modifier. All the results in the three areas demonstrated that sex, age, age at which the first attack occurred, respiratory tract infection, inhalation/intake of allergens and genetic factors were significantly associated with asthmatic attack.

CONCLUSIONSPopulation density, living environment, medical and health resources and economic level are associated with the prevalence and treatment of asthma.