Allergic diseases, smoking, and environmental exposure among university students in Lebanon

Abstract

Introduction: Smoking habits among university students in Lebanon are not clearly identified, and studies correlating these habits to asthma and allergic diseases are lacking. The primary objective of this study is to assess asthma and allergic diseases' predictors, particularly cigarette and/or waterpipe smoking and other environmental exposures, among university students. A second objective is to evaluate the potential role of these predictors as correlates of health-related self-assessment.

Methods: A cross-sectional study, using a proportionate cluster sample of 3000 Lebanese students in both public and private universities, was conducted between January 2015 and December 2015.

Results: The number of smokers at home, living close to an electricity generator and exposure to sand and dust significantly increased the odds of having asthma or allergic diseases (p = 0.015; OR = 1.183; p = 0.01; OR = 2.062; p = 0.001; OR = 3.558 respectively). Having tried cigarette smoking and having an air conditioner inside the means of transportation would decrease the odds of having asthma or allergic diseases by around 68% and 56.1% respectively (p = 0.009; OR_a = 0.320; p = 0.01; OR_a = 0.439 respectively).

Conclusion: Although students with asthma or allergic diseases tended to avoid all identifiable atopic risk factors, lesser known environmental factors such as living close to an electricity generator, exposure to sand and dust, and exposure to car exhaust fumes were associated with a higher risk of asthma and a decrease in health related self-assessment. Students with asthma and allergic diseases smoked cigarettes and waterpipe at similar percentages, but cigarette smokers had a lower health related self-assessment.

Keywords: Allergic diseases; Lebanon; asthma; environmental exposure; smoking; university students.