The necessity for a screening programme in schools for exercise-induced asthma in children in Kingston and St. Andrew

ABSTRACT

A cross-sectional study was done focussing on the prevalence of exercise-induced asthma in Jamaica and variables that may account for this rate. A sample of 214 students from primary and secondary schools were chosen from parishes in the corporate are and were given questionnaires to complete. Eighty-four of the children reported a history consistent with that of exercise-induced asthma and were furthur subjected to stress testing for a definitive diagnosis of this condition. A prevalence of twenty per hunderd was identified which reflected a rate in excess of that recorded worldwide. There was a significantly higher prevalence in children of primary school ages, but all other variable considered for significance testing to determine associations between these and the prevalence of EIA proved not significant. The necessity for a screening programme was reviewed and found to be justifiable taking into account he standard criteria. Recommendations were made for its institutions (AU)