Association of area socioeconomic status with lung function in children
Journal
Preventive Medicine
Journal Volume
55
Journal Issue
6
Pages
644-649
Date Issued
2012
Author(s)
Abstract
Objective: The study investigates the association between area-level socioeconomic status (SES) and children's lung function. Methods: Participants were 3994 seventh grade students from the Taiwan Children Health Study living in 14 communities in Taiwan and were recruited in 2007. Area-level SES predictors were population size, occupation type, income and education level. Hierarchical linear models (HLM) were used to examine the effects of area-level SES on lung function, after accounting for area air pollution and individual SES (parental education and family income). Results: Areas with high income were independently associated with lower child lung function. The coefficients for log transformation of area tax per person in HLM were -47.8 (95% confidence interval (CI): -80.9, -14.8) in FEV1, -43.8 (95% CI: -75.2, -12.5) in FVC, -93.4 (95% CI: -179.3, -7.5) in FEF25-75 and -203.2 (95% CI: -349.1, -57.2) in PEF. All SES predictors influenced in the same direction and affected males more. The interaction of area tax per person with parental educational level was significant on PEF, suggesting significant association of greater parental education with lower lung function in children. Conclusion: High area SES was inversely associated with lung function in Taiwanese children. ? 2012 Elsevier Inc.
Subjects
Child; Lung function tests; Social class
Other Subjects
article; child; education; female; human; income; lung function; male; occupation; population size; priority journal; social status; Taiwan; Air Pollution; Child; Confidence Intervals; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Linear Models; Lung; Male; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; Questionnaires; Respiratory Function Tests; Social Class; Taiwan; Vital Capacity
Type
journal article