Asia Pac Allergy.  2019 Apr;9(2):e17. 10.5415/apallergy.2019.9.e17.

The prevalence of allergic diseases in school children of metropolitan city in Indonesia shows a similar pattern to that of developed countries

• Soegiarto
• Abdullah M
• Damayanti
• Suseno A
• Effendi C

• KMID: 2444117
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5415/apallergy.2019.9.e17

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The prevalence of allergy among Surabaya school children is currently unknown.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the prevalence of the common allergic sensitization and allergic diseases among school children and undergraduate students in suburban of Surabaya by epidemiologic data collection.
METHODS
A multistage simple random sampling was done to select 5 primary schools, 8 secondary schools (4 of junior high schools and senior high schools, respectively), and 1 university from 5 districts in Surabaya city. Out of 550 invited respondents, 499 (128 primary school, 221 secondary school, and 150 undergraduate) respondents gave their consent. A complete personal history, allergic symptoms, environmental exposure of common allergens was obtained from interview and the physical examinations were performed. Skin prick test (SPT) was done using 45 different allergen extracts. Total serum IgE and specific IgE radioallergosorbent test levels were measured for respondents with allergic manifestations.
RESULTS
There was an increasing SPT positivity among study respondents, from primary school, secondary school, to undergraduate students (21.90%, 28.95%, to 45.30% respectively). Cockroach (42.85%) and fungi/mold spore (42.85%) were the most common allergens in primary school children. House dust mites was the most common allergen in secondary school (63.16%) and undergraduate students (58.82%). Urticaria and rhinitis were the commonest allergic diseases manifestation. History of atopy was positive in 60.79% of the allergic respondents.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of allergic sensitization among school children and undergraduate students in Surabaya suburb areas were increased compared to previous estimates in 1998. While house dust mites are known as important allergens, surprisingly cockroach was the common allergen among the younger school children.

Keyword

Allergy; Schoolchildren; Skin prick test; Epidemiologic studies; Fungi/mold spore

MeSH Terms

Allergens
Child*
Cockroaches
Data Collection
Developed Countries*
Environmental Exposure
Epidemiologic Studies
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Immunoglobulin E
Indonesia*
Physical Examination
Prevalence*
Pyroglyphidae
Radioallergosorbent Test
Rhinitis
Skin
Spores
Surveys and Questionnaires
Urticaria
Allergens
Immunoglobulin E