Correlation between cigarette smoke exposure and prevalence of asthma and allergy symptoms in children, Yazd

Introduction: Cigarette smoke is one of the most prevalent pollutants. Regarding the development of lungs and immune system at early stages of life, exposure to these substances can have adverse effects in this period. It seems that tobacco smoke is not an etiology for wheezing attacks burden, instead, it is an exacerbating factor. This survey was designed to determine the relation of environmental tobacco smoke with incidence and severity of allergy and asthma symptoms in Yazd. Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional one among children. Cluster sampling technique was used to select schools as clusters and in each cluster all pupils were questioned by using ISSAC standard questionnaire. Chi-Square and ANOVA tests were used for data analysis by means of SPSS software. Results: The participants were 2769 6-7 years old students and 3201 13-14 years old teenagers. 24.5% of fathers were cigarette smoker. Prevalence of asthma symptoms in both age groups and allergic rhinitis in passive smokers of 13-14 years old group were significantly higher. Exposure to hookeh smoke at home and having cigarette-smoking mothers can significantly increase allergic rhinitis and asthma symptoms in 6-7 years old children. In the 13-14 years old age group, cigarette smoking of fathers leads to meaningful increase in allergic rhinitis and presence of a smoker at home causes increment in wheezing frequency or allergic rhinitis symptoms with a significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results show that exposure to tobacco smoke during childhood is associated with increased risk of atopic diseases, mainly asthma and rhino conjunctivitis. Rationalizing parents about disadvantages of children exposure to tobacco and hookah smoke and occurrence or exacerbation of allergy and asthma symptom is mandatory and exposure avoidance is recommended.