Nocturnal asthma in school children of South Punjab, Pakistan

At the present time, the epidemiology of the childhood asthma is of considerable interest. There is an understandable concern that changes in the geographical area, lifestyle, and environment. This study was conducted to find the prevalence of nocturnal asthma, in school children of south Punjab, Pakistan. It was a cross sectional, questionnaire based, descriptive survey of the children aged 3-18 years, in randomly selected primary and secondary schools, from October 2002 to March 2003. The data was analyzed with Statistical Analysis System [SAS]. Of 6120 questionnaire sent to the parents/guardians, we received 3180 back [52%]. Of the 3180 respondents, 1767 [56%] were for boys and 1413 [44%] were for girls. The median age was 8.25 years. Around 71% of children were between 4 to 11 years of age. The parents reported nocturnal asthma in 177 [6%] of their children with an equal prevalence in boys and girls, i.e., [3% each, rounded off to nearest whole number]. Of these 177 children with nocturnal asthma, 99 [56%] were boys and 78 [44%] were girls. Of the 1767 boys and 1413 girls, the nocturnal asthma reported by parents was 6% each [99 and 78 respectively]. The nocturnal asthma was not reported in 14-18 years age group of females. The asthma is taken as a stigma in our society and as such is not reported or disclosed rather denied. An extensive educational media campaign is required for awareness of the masses