Environmental Correlates of Bronchial Asthma in Children in a Slum of Meerut - A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: In India, an estimated 57,000 deaths were attributed to Asthma in 2004 & it was seen as one of the leading cause of morbidity and mortality (WHO 2004). The range of prevalence of Bronchial asthma in children in India varied from 2% to 20%. So far, no community based studies have been conducted in Western Uttar Pradesh to find out the prevalence of bronchial asthma in children. The present study is an effort in that direction. Objective: To determine the prevalence of bronchial asthma among children of 5-15 years and its environmental determinants. Methods: A cross sectional community based study was conducted by interviewing the parents of randomly selected children in the age group of 5-15 years using International Study on Allergy And Asthma In Childhood (ISAAC) Questionnaire. Assuming the prevalence of bronchial asthma to be 10% at 95% confidence interval and allowing a relative precision of 20% for the estimate and expecting a non response rate of 5 %, the sample size was calculated as 907. The observations thus obtained were tabulated and analysed using relevant statistical methods. Results: A total of 880 children of 5-15 yrs participated in the study showing a response rate of 97.02%. The prevalence of asthma was found to be 9.3%. The prevalence of asthma was found to be associated with inadequate ventilation (OR=2.71) and presence of pets (OR= 2.70) Conclusion: The prevalence of asthma was found to be 9.3% and it warrants a national program to reduce the morbidity in children.

Environmental risk factors for childhood asthma in a Semi-urban area of Western Tamilnadu

“…Another South Indian study has reported such independent association of 6-9 years age group with bronchial asthma among school going children [21]. Male gender was also found to be an independent risk factor for childhood asthma, in similar with other studies [13,22]. This male predominance is due to the relatively narrow airways of boys which persist till adolescence.…”

“…Kumar et al [30] have reported a lower prevalence of asthma in children with smoke outlets in their houses, though there was no association with the type of fuel used. We could not find any significant association regarding exposure to mice, cockroach, livestock and pet animals with risk of childhood asthma, which was similar to several studies [22,31]. In contrary, a study from Beijing have reported increased risk of asthma for those having both a dog and a cat as pets or for finding both cockroaches and rats inside their houses [32].…”

Effectiveness of Strelinikova Breathing Exercise on Respiratory Signs and Parameters among School Children with Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

“…In respiratory parcel, lower respiratory lot contamination is one of the main normal infection happen during childhood. (George et al, 2014) LRTIs are a steady and an inescapable medical condition which force a gigantic weight on the general public. They being regular purposes behind interview and hospitalization (Rabe et al, 2000) The patients present with a wide range of sicknesses which range from minor self restricting ailments to conceivably dangerous infections (Juniper et al, 2004).…”