Rural children are just as likely as city ones to suffer asthma, say two researchers at the University of Saskatchewan.
That differs from the long-held belief that fewer rural children suffer asthma and speculation that it’s because they have earlier exposure to dust and dirt.
Oluwafemi Oluwole and Joshua Lawson say what’s really happening is that rural children are less likely to be taken to a doctor when they have an asthma attack.
“This (a lower rate of asthma) may not be entirely the case,” said Oluwole, a post-doctoral fellow in the College of Nursing.
“We found that rural children are less likely to be diagnosed for asthma. As a result, they may have more difficulties managing their asthma.
“This may lead to discomfort, limitations to their daily activities, and stress for them and their families.”
They found that rural parents take 30 minutes longer than city parents to reach medical services.
