| Background: This study aimed to investigate the asthma profile among children/adolescents and the relationship
of the prevalence of air pollution profiles using latent class analysis (LCA).
Objectives: In this cross-sectional study, a case rural community was selected in an industrial area, and two rural
control communities were selected in unexposed areas.
Methods: Hourly concentrations of PM10, SO2, NO2, and total volatile organic compounds were obtained from the
records of a fixed air quality monitoring station, and the concentrations of benzene, toluene, xylenes styrene
were measured during six campaigns. Asthma data was collected using the International Study of Asthma and
Allergies in Childhood in 7–18 years old children/adolescents. The modeling was conducted using LCA.
Results: A higher amount of air pollution indices were observed in the case than both control communities. LCA
divided the participants into three clusters; 'healthy' (92.8%), 'moderate' (2.8%), and 'severe' (4.4%). A higher
probability of severe asthma (6.8%) was observed in the case than control communities (2.6% and 1.8%).
Additionally, after adjusting for possible confounders, the odds of asthma was lower in the control communities
than the case in both moderate and sever classes (Odds Ratios in the range of 0.135–0.697).
Conclusions: This study indicates asthma profiles of children/adolescents and the higher prevalence of severe
class in the area, explaining the possible effect of air pollution. |