role of physical environment on the occurrence of rural bronchial asthma

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present work is to study the role of the physical environment on the occurrence of rural bronchial asthma. Two vilages, Rragdia and Shobra El-Namlla [Gharbia Governorate, Egypt] were chosen as a place for the study. The Total population of both villages [11208] were surveyed in a period of one year [from January 1982 to January [1983]. All cases of bronchial asthma encountered [365] were included in the study. The role physical environment was studied. Most of the attacks were of seasonal [74.2%] and nocturnal pattern [59,7%]. Winter was aggreviating for 77.3% of cases while,summer and spring were ameliorating for 74.6% and 63.3% of cases. Warm and dry air were ameliorating for 88.2% of cases while changing of seasons, cold, rains, winds, fog and humidity were mostly aggreviating factors. Open air and sea shore were mainly of good effect while bad effect was recorded for closed area in 60.5% of cases. Extensive study to investigate the offending allergens in the rural environment must be conducted on the basis of intradermal allergy tests and surveying the physical environment