Allergies in Latin America:
A Landmark Survey of Child and Adolescent Nasal Allergy Sufferers
Allergies in Latin America is the first cross-national survey that describes the symptoms, impact, and treatment of nasal allergies in the Latin American countries of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. In total, 22,012 households across the eight countries were screened for persons, including children 4 years of age and older, with a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis or nasal allergies and either symptoms or treatment in the past 12 months. The sample was probability-based to ensure valid statistical inference to the population. The procedures used in each of the eight countries were based on standard protocols that allow robust estimation of outcomes and characteristics. A description of each country’s procedures appears in Appendix A.
The target population for this study was persons, including children between the ages of 4 and 18, in the eight Latin American countries currently experiencing or being treated for nasal allergies and having been diagnosed by a physician as having allergic rhinitis or nasal allergies. This report focuses on children with nasal allergies. A total of 457 interviews were completed with parents of children with current nasal allergies across the eight countries. The field work was conducted between February and April 2008. Both telephone and in-person interviewing were done. Most of the interviews were conducted in urban areas due to the low telephone penetration and lack of interviewing infrastructure in rural Latin America. The average interview length was 41 minutes. This study was developed and conducted by Abt SRBI, an international survey research organization. The survey sponsor was Nycomed, a research-based pharmaceutical company.
Population |
Sampling Frame |
Interview |
Adults or children diagnosed with nasal allergies or allergic rhinitis, symptomatic or being treated for nasal allergies in the past 12 months |
Telephone* and in-person# screening of national or major city sample of households |
Range: 20-166 min. Mean: 41.4 min. Note: Interview length excludes Colombia and Ecuador. |
Country |
Number of Households Screened |
Completed sample (Adults |
Argentina |
6,236* |
45 |
Brazil |
4,618* |
123 |
Mexico |
6,539* |
107 |
Chile |
1,017* |
26 |
Colombia |
213* |
43 |
Ecuador |
1,570* |
42 |
Peru |
943* |
40 |
Venezuela |
875* |
31 |
Total: |
22,012 |
457 |