Factors associated with asthma and allergies in prehospital practitioners

Abstract

This analysis was carried out to identify factors associated with asthma and allergies in prehospital emergency medical services staff in Germany over a 12-month period. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. In total, 2313 prehospital emergency medical services staff from Germany were included into the analysis. Women had the highest prevalence of asthma (12.28%) and allergies (40.61%). Asthma was significantly associated with gender, with lower odds for male (AOR 0.60; 95% CI [0.45-0.81]) than female practitioners. Allergies were significantly associated with: gender (male: AOR: 0.57; 95% CI (0.47-0.70)); smoking status (smokers: AOR: 0.79 (95% CI (0.62-0.99)); and role (trainees: AOR 1.37; 95% CI (1.06-1.78)). There is a high 12-month prevalence of asthma and allergies in certain groups of prehospital emergency practitioners in Germany and this is associated with several factors.