Prevalence rate of bronchial asthma in school children aged 6-14 years in Alexandria

ABSTRACT

Bronchial asthma [BA] is a leading cause of chronic illness in childhood. It is considered the most prevalent chronic condition in children responsible for a significant proportion of both acute and chronic illness and also school absenteeism. The aim of the present work was to determine the prevalence of BA in school children aged 6-14 years in Alexandria, and to reveal some epidemiological features. A representative sample of children [2336] of the target population was surveyed by using stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using pre-designed questionnaire to be fulfilled by the parents of the child. All asthmatic children detected were included in the study and subjected to thorough history, and clinical examination, x-ray chest, pulmonary function test and samples of them were subjected to bronchial challenge testing. The prevalence rate of asthmatic children aged 6-14 years in Alexandria was 18% in scholastic year 2001-2002. The prevalence rate for males and females were 9.6% and 8.4% respectively, which was not statistically significant [P=0.936]. There was a decrease of asthma incidence and severity with increasing age but this was not statistically significant [P=0.707]. Also, socioeconomic status did not influence the prevalence rate of asthma in the present work. Most children have their asthma exacerbations during cold weather [P=0.047]. The prevalence of asthma was not influenced be the district. Although severe persistent asthma increased in low socioeconomic districts [Borg EI-Arab, and El-Gomrok] but this was not statistically significant