Prevalence of Asthma and Allergies Among Children in UAE

Prevalence of Asthma and Allergies Among Children in UAE-A Cross-sectional Study

Multicenter, cross-sectional study to recruit a random sample of 6000 children via school class registers: 3000 children aged 13-14 years and 3000 children aged 6-7 years.

Multicenter, cross-sectional study to recruit a random sample of 6000 children via school class registers: 3000 children aged 13-14 years and 3000 children aged 6-7 years.Standard ISAAC core questions for wheezing, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis will be used. The ISAAC questionnaire has been validated by the World Health Organization and translated into many languages, and used in many countries. In this study, the Arabic and English version will be used. In addition, questions regarding exposure to Arabian incense "Bokhor" and smoking questions of the environmental questionnaire will be included.

ISAAC Questionnaires

1. Core questionnaire on wheezing.
2. Core questionnaire on rhinitis.
3. Core questionnaire on atopic dermatitis.
4. Smoking questions of the environmental questionnaire.
5. Video questionnaire on wheezing (only for 13-14 years age group, if applicable)

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children with age 6 to 7 years or with age 13 to 14 years at the time of questionnaires completion, and residing in Dubai and the Northern Emirates of UAE.
• Children aged 6 to 7 years or 13 to14 years, whose legal guardians give their consent.
• Able to give assent in the 13 to 14 years group.
• Able to comprehend and answer the questionnaire themselves in the 13 to 14 years group.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Aged 13 to 14 years and unable to answer the questionnaire due to physical or mental disability.
• Parent or legal guardian refuses sign and return consent for the 6 to 7 years group and the 13 to 14 years group.