[Sensitization to three house dust mites in a children allergic population of cuba]. / Sensibilización a tres ácaros domésticos en una población infantil alérgica de Cuba.

BACKGROUND: Allergic diseases constitute a worldwide health problem and mites are among the main etiological agents. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the sensitization to the mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides siboney, and Blomia tropicalis, by skin tests in a children allergic sample from Cuba. METHODS: This is a descriptive transversal investigation that included 103 allergic children, with ages ranging from 3 to 15 years, who underwent skin prick tests with D. pteronyssinus, D. siboney, and B. tropicalis allergenic extracts. For the analysis of the results, sex, place of residence and degree of exposure to house dust were considered. RESULTS: The greater sensitization was to D. pteronyssinus (36,9%), followed by D. siboney (35%) and B. tropicalis (33%). The greater geometric mean of the wheal diameter was 5,14 mm for D. pteronyssinus (IC95%: 4.52-5.76 mm); 4.82 mm for D. siboney (IC95%: 4.22-5.43 mm) and 4.25 mm for B. tropicalis (IC95%: 3.93-4.58 mm). Fifty six children (54.3%) were not sensitive to none of the three mites. In 45.7% we found sensitization at least to one mite, and 21.4% were sensitive to the three mites. There were no significant differences (p >0.05) in the sensitization according to sex, place of residence and degree of exposure to house dust. The percentage of sensitive patients with rhinitis plus asthma was more significant (p < 0.001), and in them, the geometric mean of the wheal diameter was significant for D. pteronyssinus (p=0.028) and D. siboney (p=0. 027). CONCLUSIONS: A third of our studied child population, residing in a non-industrialized tropical area, presented sensitization to one or some of the three tested mites. There was a different pattern of sensitization with mites in relation to gender. Patients with asthma plus rhinitis showed more sensitization concerning the number and intensity of the skin tests.

[Identification of the learning needs of asthmatic diseases in relatives of pediatric patients]. / Identificación de las necesidades de aprendizaje de la enfermedad asmática en familiares de pacientes pediátricos.

BACKGROUND: Information on asthma is fundamental for an adequate control and management of patients who suffer from it, or for their relatives; hence, new educational programs are being carried out in order to achieve this aim. OBJECTIVE: To identify learning requirements for its subsequent use in the development of an educational program. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive study was carried out. 326 surveys were applied to relatives of pediatric patients seen at the allergology department of Hospital Leonor Perez, from April to September 2003. Frequencies, percentages, as well as Pearson's chi-square test were used in order to compare groups. RESULTS: An inadequate knowledge of treatment was observed in 69.3% of the cases, of its physiopathology in 84.7%, of its preventive medication and of crisis in 51.7 and 59.5%, respectively, as well as from the importance of both treatments in 65.3% of them. Most of the relatives included in this study recognized the importance of being instructed in the disease process (94.8%). There were no significant differences between the group of relatives with prior specialized attention and the group who attended consultation for the first time; except for preventive medication to treat crisis, where the first one showed better knowledge of the disease (p = 0.002). Difference on the overall knowledge was also better in the first group, although lower than expected. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to apply an educational program aimed at improving levels of knowledge on specific aspects of asthma.