Prevalence of bronchial asthma among urban school children in Bengaluru city

Abstract

Background

Bronchial asthma, with its increasing prevalence in both developed and developing countries, is a global health problem. It causes sleep disorders, impedes growth, disrupts education, increases the socioeconomic burden and hence lowers the quality of life of the affected individuals, their family and society at large. Children in urban areas, being a highly affected group, require special attention. Hence, the present study was conducted with the objectives below:1. To determine the prevalence of Bronchial asthma among urban school children.2. To identify the risk factors associated with bronchial asthma.

Methods

Schools were randomly selected after enlisting all schools in 2 wards of BBMP-South and permissions were obtained. Sampling frame consists of cumulative population of all school children. The sample size was calculated to be 1140. List of children aged between 10 and 15 years was prepared from the attendance register from each school and children were selected from the list using systematic random sampling. Each consenting student was interviewed using pretested semi structured questionnaire developed using ISAAC (International study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) module. Data was entered and analyzed using Epi-Info 7.2.2.1.

Results

A total of 1140 children were interviewed, of which 541(47.5 %) were females and 599(52.5 %) were males. The mean age was 12.57 ± 1.61years. The prevalence of asthma was 5.79 %. A family history of allergic disorders and history of preterm birth were significantly associated with Bronchial Asthma (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Asthma is a major health problem among urban school children.