The Indonesian Journal of Public Health
Vol. 21 No. 1 (2026): THE INDONESIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH : IN PRESS

THE RISK FACTORS AND BEHAVIORS ASSOCIATED WITH HOUSE DUST MITE-RELATED ALLERGIC RESPIRATORY DISEASES: A HOSPITAL-BASED STUDY

Natalia Erica Jahja (Allergy and Immunology Fellowship Program, Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60132, Indonesia
Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya 60285, Indonesia
Department of Pediatrics, Petrokimia Gresi)

Zahrah Hikmah (Allergy and Immunology Division, Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60132, Indonesia
Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya 60285, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
02 Apr 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Allergic respiratory disease (ARD) affects 10-30% of the global population, especially children, and is frequently triggered by house dust mites (HDM). Gresik, a metropolitan area in East Java with high air pollution, contribute to an increased prevalence of ARD symptoms. Aim: This study aimed to identify risk factors and behaviours associated with HDM allergies in children, using a questionnaire-based approach. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from February to July 2023 at Petrokimia Gresik Hospital. Participants included children aged six months and older with chronic cough or rhinitis. HDM allergy diagnosis was confirmed via skin prick test (SPT) or specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) test only after excluding other differential diagnoses. Data on ARD symptoms and HDM-related risk factors were collected through a validated questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression model with significance set at p<0.05. Results: Of 344 eligible children, 261 completed the study. Children with HDM allergy (22.6%) were notably older (5.5 ± 2.5 years) compared to those without HDM allergy (4.5 ± 2.5 years; p=0.001). In the multivariable analysis, family history of atopy was independently associated with higher odds of HDM allergy (AOR 2.72; 95% CI 1.27–5.79; p = 0.010), whereas increasing age was associated with lower odds (AOR 0.989; 95% CI 0.980–0.998; p = 0.013). Conclusion: Family history of atopy showed a stronger association with HDM allergy, while increasing age was inversely associated. Environmental factors were not significant after adjustment. However, multicentre studies are essential to validate these findings.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

IJPH

Publisher

Subject

Public Health

Description

The Indonesian Journal of Public Health published since 2004, is a scientific journal article presents the results of research and review of the literature on the development of science that includes the study of Public Health Epidemiology, Administration & Policy Health, Health Promotion and ...