ABSTRACT
Objective To determine the prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases in urban and rural Uganda and to identify risk factors for these diseases. Methods The according to standard guidelines and completed questionnaires on respiratory symptoms, functional status and demographic characteristics.The presence of four chronic respiratory conditions was monitored: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, chronic bronchitis and a restrictive spirometry pattern. Findings In total, 1502 participants (average age: 46.9 years) had acceptable, reproducible spirometry results: 837 (56%) in rural Nakaseke and 665 (44%) in urban Kampala. Overall, 46.5% (698/1502) were male. The age-adjusted prevalence of any chronic respiratory condition was 20.2%. The age-adjusted prevalence of COPD was significantly greater in rural than urban participants (6.1 versus 1.5%, respectively; P<0.001), whereas asthma was significantly more prevalent in urban participants: 9.7% versus 4.4% in rural participants (P<0.001). The age-adjusted prevalence of chronic bronchitis was similar in rural and urban participants (3.5 versus 2.2%, respectively; P=0.62), as was that of a restrictive spirometry pattern (10.9 versus 9.4%; P=0.82). For COPD, the population attributable risk was 51.5% for rural residence, 19.5% for tobacco smoking, 16.0% for a body mass index <18.5 kg/m2 and 13.0% for a history of treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis.Conclusion The prevalence of chronic respiratory disease was high in both rural and urban Uganda. Place of residence was the most important risk factor for COPD and asthma
Subject(s)
Asthma/epidemiology , Chronic Disease , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/drug therapy , Respiration Disorders/diagnosis , Respiration Disorders/epidemiology , Respiration Disorders/etiology , Rural Population , Uganda , Urban PopulationABSTRACT
Asthma is the most common chronic disease of South African children; affecting growth and development and quality of life. Features supporting the diagnosis are a family or personal history of atopy; night cough; exercise-induced cough and/or wheeze and seasonal variation in symptoms. Asthma is on the increase in both developed and developing countries; in both rural and urban communities. The first part of this series aims to give a brief overview of the epidemiology; pathophysiology and diagnosis of childhood asthma