[Factors associated with asthma in children and adolescents in rural areas of Navarre (Spain)].

OBJECTIVES: To determine the factors associated with asthma and asthma-related symptoms in children and adolescents in rural areas of Navarre (Spain).

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire, as well as additional variables, was conducted on 797 children and adolescents. These provided prevalence data on asthma symptoms and associated factors without further diagnostic testing.

LOCATION: Primary Care setting, through the basic health areas and in the corresponding education centres.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The prevalence of referred asthma is 11.7% in children, and 13.4% in adolescents. The prevalence in the female population is 13.7% and in males it is 11.3%. As for the related factors according to the values of OR, an OR=9.5 was found between wheezing and asthma, and an OR=3.5 between recent rhinitis and asthma. As regards recent wheezing, an OR=11.5 was found between awakenings due to wheezing and recent wheezing, and an OR=3.4 between recent rhinitis and wheezing.

CONCLUSIONS: Referred asthma is a prevalent disease in children and adolescents in rural areas. It is more prevalent in adolescence and in the female population. Rhinitis and other asthma symptoms are related to asthma and wheezing, as well as the use of emergency services, in the case of asthma.