背景和目的：本研究針對台北縣內設有空品測站的八鄉鎮市地區，調查國小學童氣喘盛行率之現況及影響因子，期能作為後續環境流行病學研究之基礎。方法：以分層隨機抽樣從八鄉鎮市之公立國小選出受測學童，針對家長進行「學童呼吸系統健康」問卷調查，內容包括氣喘、過敏性鼻炎、異位性皮膚炎等症狀，以及居家環境空氣品質與過敏原之暴露等。結果：在1523 名受訪的國小學童中，其氣喘盛行率為11.1%，疑似氣喘盛行率為19.6%。複邏輯迴歸分析結果顯示，男性、家中長霉斑、使用地毯、自覺居家附近空氣污染嚴重、以及罹患過敏性鼻炎或異位性皮膚炎等因子與氣喘及(氣喘＋疑似氣喘) 的盛行率呈現統計顯著的正相關，而年級別、行政區域、經濟收入、家人抽菸、拜香與使用蚊香、飼養寵物等未發現具有顯著的正相關。結論：北縣國小學童的氣喘盛行率與十年前相較，並沒有明顯的增加，而過敏性鼻炎和異位性皮膚炎之盛行率則較十年前增加約兩倍。改善空氣品質與居家環境衛生、避免過敏原暴露仍是防治氣喘應努力的方向。

Background and purpose: The current study was designed to investigate the prevalenceof asthma and factors associated with differences in asthma prevalences among elementary schoolchildren in 8 towns located in Taipei County. Each of the 8 towns had its own stationary ambientair monitoring stations. Methods: Stratified random sampling was applied to select theparticipants from public elementary schools in Taipei County. A self-administered questionnaireabout the respiratory health condition of the childrenwas answered by their parents, exploring thefollowing details: area of residence; history of asthma, the history of allergic rhinitis and atopicdermatitis; the presence of passive smoke; residential ambient air quality; potential allergenexposures; etc. Results: Total 1523 children were recruited in the study. The prevalence rates ofasthma and suspected asthma were 11.1%and 19.6%, respectively.Using amulti-logistic regressionanalysis, significant associations were suggested between asthma (plus suspected asthma)prevalence and the following factors: male gender, the presence of damp spots , the use of carpet,self-awareness of poor ambient air quality, and a history of allergic rhinitis/atopic dermatitis. Onthe other hand, neither the school grade, administrative area of residence, financial income, familysmoking history, use of incense, nor pets in the home showed a significant association with theprevalence of asthma in these children. Conclusions: There is no apparent increase in the asthmaprevalence in school children in Taipei County compared to the results reported 10 years ago;however, the prevalence rates of both allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis are 2-times higher thanthose reported 10 years ago. Improving air quality, providing better indoor hygiene, and preventingallergen exposures are still essential for preventing asthma.