Effect of socio-economic status on level of the Atopic diseases in 16-25 year old men in Sanandaj city

Abstract

Background and Objective: Exposure to certain infectious diseases such as measles and hepatitis A, by induction of cell mediated immunity cause a Th1 (T-helper) activity type immune response. Th1 can antagonize Th2 activity and therefore diminish atopic disease. Therefore, because of relationship between socio-economic status and infectious diseases it was decided to survey the relationship between socio-economic statuses with atopic disease. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, demographic characteristics and socio-economic data about 3500 individuals (16-25 years old man) of Sanandaj city was gathered with standard questionnaire by educated interns and nurses during 2001. A clinical diagnosis of atopic disease was assessed by history and physical examination. Findings: According to the results, living in lower socio-economic status area has decreasing effect on prevalence of seasonal asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis (P<0.05). Low family income and higher paternal education level have decreasing effect on prevalence of seasonal asthma (P<0.05). In observed population, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis was 1.5% and higher maternal education has augmentation effect to it (P<0.05). In this study, the frequency of intrinsic and seasonal asthma and seasonal and chronic rhinoconjunctivitis were 2.1%, 5.3% and 6.1%, 11.8%, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that high socio-economic status cause increasing effect on prevalence of atopic diseases.

Keywords

• atopic hypersensitivity
• parental education
• income
• socio-economic factors