Abstract
Purpose of the study: Recently, media repeatedly informed about high prevalence of bronchial asthma and serious respiratory diseases in Ostrava, particularly in certain areas. The aim of this study was to verify by means of questionnaires and spirometry cross-sectional study the current prevalence of asthma and some other respiratory symptoms in this population.
Methods: Four hundred and ten questionnaires were analyzed and spirometry tested in school children aged 10 to 11 years from four regions of Ostrava. Results: The incidence of physician confirmed asthma was found in 12%, with even distribution in all areas.
Allergy was found in 30% of children. Repeated obstructive problems in the last year were found in 7%, repeated exercise induced wheezing in 6%.
Prolonged cough was found in a quarter of children. Pneumonia in the last year was mentioned by the parents in 5% of cases.
About 37% of children were exposed to passive smoking. Spirometry did not find a significant incidence of airway dysfunction.
Conclusion: We did not find a higher incidence of asthma in school children in Ostrava. We found a slightly higher incidence of recurrent respiratory infections and protracted cough.