Assessing the relationships between household mold exposure and asthma status in children nationwide sampled by the 2003 national asthma survey
This is a comprehensive secondary analysis of indoor household environmental exposures, socioeconomic and demographic confounding factors, and asthma in children. Data used in this research was accessed from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, State and Local Area Integrated Telephone Survey, National Asthma Survey. Previous literature has recognized asthma as one of the most prevalent conditions affecting children nationwide. While previous literature about the interrelationships and interactions between environmental exposures, socioeconomic, and demographic factors is growing, little is known about the significance of indoor household mold exposure. This survey interviewed 1193 participants aged 0 to 17 years of age, and 161 children were classified as having lifetime asthma, while 122 had current asthma. χ2 analyses and logistic regression analysis were used to determine potential contributing factors of lifetime and current asthma in the sample of 120 children. Logistic regression determined indoor household mold exposure (OR=1.37, p=.021), air cleaners/purifiers (OR=1.85, p=.001), and gas used for cooking (OR=1.91, p=.006) to be statistically significant positive indicators of current asthma. For lifetime asthma, the same environmental exposures were found to be statistically significant and positive indicators: indoor household mold exposure (OR=1.33, p=.032), air cleaners/purifiers (OR=1.75, p=.001), and dehumidifiers (OR=2.11, p=.0001) were all found to be statistically significant and positive correlates of lifetime asthma. Independent exposure to indoor household mold was a statistically significant correlate of both lifetime (OR=1.33, p=.029) and current asthma (OR=1.38, p=.015). Indoor household mold exposure was found to be statistically significant in the analyzed sample of NAS children, which could suggest that the air filters/purifiers and dehumidifiers used in participating households did not reduce exposure to particulates.
Asthma, Indoor Household Mold, Analysis of relationships between household environmental exposures and asthma in sample of children
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign