Community-based survey as a basis for evidence-based public health: children living in Upper Silesian Industrial Zone.

Objective: The aim of the study was to estimate changes in the prevalence of respiratory diseases and disorders between 2003/2004 and 2011/2012 in 13-16 years old children living in Bytom, one of the biggest cities in the Silesia agglomeration and provide the evidence for local policy makers.

Methods: Data from two cross-sectional surveys, based on the Polish version of the International Study of Allergy and Asthma in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire, conducted in 2003/2004 and 2011/2012 was used. Response rate in the first and the second survey was 68% and 35%, respectively. The number of analyzed observations was 4,041 and 707 from the first and the second survey. The selection bias was controlled with the propensity score matching and potential determinants of analyzed respiratory diseases and disorders were controlled in the multivariable logistic regression model.

Results: We found statistically significant increase in asthma ever diagnosed by medical doctor (4.5% vs. 9.6%; p < 0.01), seizures of dyspnea (8.2% vs. 27.7%; p < 0.01), and chest wheeze (9.6% vs. 19.2%; p < 0.01).

Conclusion: Our study revealed significant increase in the prevalence of respiratory diseases and disorders after 8 years in adolescents living in the Upper Silesian Industrial Zone. This is a relevant finding which provides the evidence for decision makers in the scope of local public health policies.