Prevalence of Wheezing and Its Association with Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure among Rural and Urban Preschool Children in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Rodney Mudau (), Kuku Voyi and Joyce Shirinde
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Rodney Mudau: Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, South Africa
Kuku Voyi: School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, South Africa
Joyce Shirinde: School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, South Africa

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 4, 1-20

Abstract: Background: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of wheezing and its association with environmental tobacco smoke exposure among rural and urban preschool children in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, an area associated with poor air quality. Methods: In this study, parents/caregivers of preschool children ( n = 3145) completed a modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. Data were analysed using multiple logistic regression models. Results: The overall prevalence of Wheeze Ever was 15.14%, with a higher prevalence in urban preschoolers than rural preschoolers (20.71% vs. 13.30%, p < 0.000). Moreover, the total prevalence of Asthma Ever was 2.34%. The prevalence was greater in urban preschoolers than in rural preschoolers (3.92% vs. 1.81%, p < 0.001). In the final adjusted model, both urban- and rural-area children who lived with one or more people who smoked in the same household (WE: OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.11–1.86) (CW: OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.38–3.16) and (AE: OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.12–5.54) were found to have an increased likelihood of having Wheeze Ever, Current Wheeze, and Asthma Ever as compared to those who lived with non-smokers. Conclusions: The implementation of smoking limits and prohibition is crucial in areas that are frequented or utilized by children. Hence, it is imperative for healthcare providers to actively champion the rights of those who do not smoke within the society, while also endorsing legislative measures aimed at curtailing the extent of tobacco smoke exposure.

Keywords: environmental tobacco smoke exposure; the risk of wheezing; poor air quality; preschool children (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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