Prevalence and severity of childhood asthma and allergic sensitisation in seven climatic regions of New South Wales

Abstract

Objective: To compare the prevalence and severity of asthma and of allergic sensitisation in children in different regions. We hypothesised that regions with different standardised hospital admission rates would have different prevalences of childhood asthma and that diverse climates would result in a range of sensitisations to different allergens. Design and setting: We studied large random population samples of children in seven regions in New South Wales (NSW) in 1991-1993. Hospitalisation rates were obtained from NSW Department of Health data. Participants: 6394 children aged 8-11 years. Outcome measures: History of respiratory symptoms by self-administered questionnaire; airway hyperres..