Prevalence of childhood asthma symptoms in an industrial suburb of Christchurch.

In response to community concern about the possible respiratory effects of emissions from a fertiliser plant, a study was carried out to determine whether the prevalence of asthma symptoms in 5-8 yr old children in an industrial suburb of Christchurch (Hornby) was the same as in the rest of Christchurch. A sample of 646 children aged 5-8 years in Hornby was compared with 1183 6-7 year old children randomly selected from schools throughout the Christchurch metropolitan area. The Christchurch sample was part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) carried out during 1993. ISAAC questionnaires on respiratory symptoms with some additional questions about smoking and pets were answered by the caregivers of the children sampled. Response rates were 97% in Hornby and 94% in Christchurch. Of the sample, 29% (Hornby) and 27% (Christchurch) had 'wheeze in the last 12 months' while 45% of Hornby and 44% of Christchurch children had 'ever wheezed', 28% had 'ever had asthma'. Significantly more children in Hornby (44%) were exposed to passive smoking compared to Christchurch (29%). Indoor pets were present in 73% and 67% of homes, respectively. There was no evidence of an increase in asthma symptoms reported in children in the industrial area of Hornby.