Publication: Risk and Triggering Factors Associated with Bronchial Asthma Among School-Going Children in an Urban City of Coastal Karnataka
Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nepal Paediatric Society (JNPS)
Abstract
Abstract:
Introduction: Asthma is common in childhood and is a major public health issue. The objectives of this study were to identify risk and triggering factors associated with asthma among school children.
Material and Methods: A prospective cross sectional study was conducted among 6-15 years old children, over two months in two private schools at Mangalore city. Trigger factors were assessed as per asthma trigger inventory (ATI). Responses were graded from 0-5 score based on ‘never’,’ rarely’, ‘sometimes’, ‘most of the time’ and ‘always’. A predesigned questionnaire suiting the city environment was prepared and used to assess the risk and triggering factors. Analysis was done using SPSS version 16.
Results: Asthma and allergic rhinitis in parents (34.1%,40.7%), smoking at home(24.2%), exclusive breast feeding absence (27.5%),early weaning(24.2%), living in a flat (37.4%) and pets at home(37.4%) were risk factors noted. As per ATI, it was found that ‘having a cold’ was the most frequently selected trigger at 94.5% (47.3% ‘sometimes’, 2.2% ‘always’), followed by ‘running’ at 79.1% (27.5% ‘sometimes’, 13.2% ‘always’), and ‘house dust’ at 69.2% (31.9% ‘sometimes’, 6.6% ‘always’). The highest mean was for infections, (2.228, SD=0.546), followed by physical exercise (2.167, SD=0.331). Animal allergens had lowest mean (1.527, SD=0.104), followed by psychological triggers at second lowest (1.579, SD=0.181). However none of the risk and trigger factors had statistical significance with asthma.
Conclusion: Avoiding exposure to probable triggers and identifying risk factors would aid in planning effective strategic measures with better quality of life.
Description
Sowmini P. Kamath
Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore
Shrividya Shrishakumar
Kasturba Medical college, Manipal University, Mangalore
Animesh Jain
Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0250-3608
Anand Ramakrishna
Kasturba Medical College Manipal University, Mangalore
Shantharam B Baliga
Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore
Keywords
allergens, asthma, questionnaire, risk factors, smoke