Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

Asthma patients have a high exposure to different allergens, but have little awareness concerning their specific trigger factors.

A quantitative approach using descriptive research design was conducted among 100 asthma patients were selected through convenience sampling. A trigger factor checklist and a semi-structured questionnaire regarding knowledge level on asthma control were administered. The data analysis was done by appropriate descriptive statistics and principal factor analysis.

In this study, 91% of asthma patients reported that home dust and mites was their major trigger factor, 66% of participants reported that once pre-sensitized to home dust mite it always triggered asthma attacks. The study revealed that home dust mites was the most predominant trigger factor identified in 45% of cases and other interrelated trigger factors noted are climate, pollen and stress/anxiety. We also found that 25% of participants had poor knowledge about asthma control. Majority of asthma patients were unable to pinpoint a specific trigger factors.

If asthma patients can identify and avoid home dust/mites then majority of asthma sudden attacks can be prevented.