Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asthma and allergic symptoms in Manisa city centre (Turkey), to evaluate the data obtained and to review the prevalences reported from different parts of our country. Data were collected from 610 home visits and complete interviews were conducted with 1336 adults over the age of 18. The questionnaire was consisted of sociodemographic questions and European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) questionnaire. The prevalences of current asthma, cumulative asthma, asthma-like symptoms were found as 1.2, 1.0, and 25.0% respectively in 20-44 years age group and allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, family atopy were found as 14.5, 10.9, and 15.2% respectively in the overall group. Wheezing with breathlessness, wheezing in the absence of upper respiratory tract infection, waking up with shortness of breath and waking up with cough were detected in 9.1, 6.9, 6, and 16.1% of the study population respectively. Gender, age, active or passive smoking, familial history of atopy and in-house conditions are the factors that effect the prevalence of asthma and allergic symptoms. In this study, the prevalence of asthma in Manisa was found to be consistent with the low prevalence rates reported from different parts of our country.