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Self-Reported Moisture or Mildew in the Homes of Head Start Children with Asthma is Associated with Greater Asthma Morbidity

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Abstract

This study used results from a cross-sectional survey of parents of 3- to 5-year-old children with asthma to assess the frequency of self-reported home environmental conditions that could contribute to worsening asthma and examined the relationship between these factors and the child's asthma morbidity. Participants were 149 parents drawn from the two largest agencies that provide subsidized preschool childcare services in East and Central Harlem, inner-city communities with high prevalence of asthma. The sample represented 77% of eligibles determined by a validated case-identification instrument. Data were collected on demographics, symptoms, medication use, Emergency Department visits and hospitalization, and environmental conditions in the home. One or more of these home environmental conditions were reported by 92% of participants. Controlling for other environmental conditions and demographics, associations were found between self-reported presence of moisture or mildew on ceilings, walls, or windows and higher frequency of hospitalizations for breathing-related problems (OR = 3.31; 95% CI 1.62–6.75), frequent episodes of wheezing (OR = 3.25; 95% CI 1.8–6.0), and higher frequency of night symptoms due to asthma (OR = 2.19; 95% CI 1.4–3.41). Having a carpet or rug in the child's bedroom or the living room was also associated with hospitalizations (OR = 3.23; 95% CI 1.53–6.8), and male gender was marginally associated with the frequency of night symptoms (OR = 1.51; 95% CI .95–2.4). Asthma is prevalent in the Head Start population, and exposure to home environmental conditions that may worsen asthma is common in the socially disadvantaged populations served by Head Start programs.

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Abbreviations

BRQ:

Brief Respiratory Questionnaire, a case identification tool used to determine inclusion

OR:

Odds ratio

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Acknowledgement

This research was funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U48/CCU209663 SIP21).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    David Evans

Authors
  1. Sebastian Bonner PhD
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  2. Thomas D. Matte
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  3. Joanne Fagan
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  4. Evie Andreopoulos
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  5. David Evans
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David Evans.

Additional information

Drs. Bonner PhD, Matte and Fagan and Ms. Andreopoulus are with the Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies (CUES) of the New York Academy of Medicine.

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Bonner, S., Matte, T.D., Fagan, J. et al. Self-Reported Moisture or Mildew in the Homes of Head Start Children with Asthma is Associated with Greater Asthma Morbidity. JURH 83, 129–137 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-005-9012-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-005-9012-7

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