Prevalence of asthma, rhintis and eczema among schoolchildren in Kelantan, Malaysia

This study was part of an international effort to evaluate the epidemiology of asthma and allergic diseases around the world.To describe the prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinitis and eczema in Kelantanese schoolchildren. The international study of asthma and allergies in childhood (ISAAC) written questionnaire was administered to 7055 schoolchildren from February 1995 to August 1995. The respondents were parents of 5-7 year children (n=3939), and schoolchildren 12-14 years (n=3116). The ISAAC video questionnaire was shown to children aged 12-14 years after the written questionnaire. The overall cumulative and 12 month prevalence of wheezing were 9.4% and 6.0% respectively. The prevalence of doctor diagnosed asthma was 9.4%. Both cumulative (p=0.0006) and 12 month prevalence of wheeze (p = 0.014) was significantly higher in 12-14 years old children than 5-7 years old children. There was no significant differences in the prevalence of wheeze between males and females. The prevalence of rhinitis and eczema among children 5-7 years age group were 18.2% and 38.2%; and among children 12-14 years age group were 13.7% and 9.9% respectively.The prevalence of allergic disorders in Kota Bharu is common but is much lower than that of countries in the West and Singapore