The Study of Prevalence of Bronchial Asthma among School Going Children in South India.

ABSTRACT

Background: Bronchial asthma (asthma) is the chronic illness in the childhood resulting in morbidity as it is not correctly diagnosed and treated properly. It is basically an allergic disorder; certain respiratory infection and air pollution also contributes to its etiology. Methods: This study focusses on prevalence of asthma among school going children and also record the demographic profile. This study also highlights to spread the awareness and policy decision making in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma in children. Results: The prevalence of asthma among school children in the current study was found to be 4.5%. Maximum numbers of positive cases were found at the age of 15 years, 10 (5.37 %) cases. In the current study the prevalence of asthma was found to be 4.24% in the 12-13 years age group and prevalence was found to be 4.73% in the 14-15 years age group. The prevalence of asthma was found to be higher among boys (5.14%) than of girls (3.77%). Conclusion: This study could identify an array of risk factors possibly involved in the prevalence of asthma in this region. Recognition of the risk factors will help parents, medical personnel and health planner’s device preventive and early intervention programs to reduce the burden of asthma in the community.