Divergent trends in the prevalence of asthma-like symptoms and asthma in a developing country: three repeated surveys between 2002 and 2016.

Introduction And Objectives: There have been differences in temporal trends of asthma prevalence by geographic region and economic prosperity. The aim of this study was to assess temporal trends in asthma prevalence among young adolescents in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia as a developing country with a low asthma prevalence.

Subjects And Methods: Data were obtained from three cross-sectional surveys (2002, 2006, and 2016) of adolescents (12-15 years) from randomly selected schools in Skopje.

An international comparison of risk factors between two regions with distinct differences in asthma prevalence.

Background And Purpose: Investigation of the geographic variation in asthma prevalence can improve our understanding of asthma etiology and management. The purpose of our investigation was to compare the prevalence of asthma and wheeze among adolescents living in two distinct international regions and to investigate reasons for observed differences.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 13-14 year olds was completed in Saskatoon, Canada (n=1200) and Skopje, Republic of Macedonia (n=3026), as part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase 3 study.

An international comparison of asthma, wheeze, and breathing medication use among children.

Background: There is variation in childhood asthma between countries with typically higher prevalence in "Westernized" nations. We compared asthma, respiratory symptoms, and medication prevalence in Eastern and Central European regions and Canada.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey study of children (5-15 years) from one urban centre in each of Canada, Belarus, Poland, Republic of Georgia (Adjara), Republic of Macedonia, and Ukraine.

Urban-rural differences in asthma prevalence among young adolescents: The role of behavioural and environmental factors.

Background: Asthma prevalence has been reported to be lower in rural areas compared to urban areas, although this has been inconsistent. This study aims to identify the influence of urban-rural residence on asthma prevalence in adolescents in the Republic of Macedonia and to investigate characteristics that may explain observed associations.

Methods: Following International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood protocol, a national sample of Macedonian urban and rural dwelling adolescents (12-16 years) was recruited in 2006.

The self-reported density of truck traffic on residential streets and the impact on asthma, hay fever and eczema in young adolescents.

Background: Conflicting results have been reported, mostly in developed countries, on the relationship between exposure to traffic and allergic diseases. This study aims to examine the impact of truck traffic on asthma, rhinitis and eczema in early adolescence in Skopje, the capital of the Republic of Macedonia, as a developing country with a lower middle rate of high truck traffic exposure and low prevalence rates of allergic diseases.

Methods: Self-reported data was used, obtained through the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Phase 3 written questionnaires, from 3026 adolescents aged 13-14 years from Skopje.