Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development
  • Year: 2017
  • Volume: 8
  • Issue: 2

Assessing the Burden of Bronchial Asthma in Rural Adult Population of Bangalore

  • Author:
  • S P Prashanth Kumar1,, B G Parasuramalu2, N Huliraj3, Gangaboraiah4, N R Ramesh Masthi5, C R Srinivasa Babu6
  • Total Page Count: 6
  • Page Number: 59 to 64

1Senior Program Officer, Jhpiego, Hyderabad, Telangana

2Professor, Dept. of Community Medicine, RRMC, Bangalore

3Professor & Head, Dept. of Pulmonary Medicine, KIMS, Bangalore

4Professor of Statistics, Dept. of Community Medicine, KIMS, Bangalore

5Associate Professor, Dept. of Community Medicine, KIMS, Bangalore

6Prof & Head, Dept of Radiodiagnosis, PES Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh

*Address for Correspondence: Dr Prashanth Kumar SP Senior Program Officer, Jhpiego, Hyderabad, Telangana, Mob: + 91 9898090045, Email: drsp82@gmail.com

Online published on 11 April, 2017.

Abstract

Data on asthma prevalence in India is scarce. Hence, the present study was undertaken to assess bronchial asthma prevalence in India using questionnaire and spirometry.

1. To assess bronchial asthma prevalence among rural adult population 2. To list risk factors associated with bronchial asthma

The study was conducted in the rural field practice area of Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, India. 3194 adult individuals (18-70years) were selected from 30 villages (clusters) using cluster-sampling technique. A standardized and validated questionnaire, in local Kannada language was filled for each individual. Respondents with symptoms suggestive of asthma were clinically examined and sputum for acid fast bacilli (AFB), chest radiography and spirometric measurements were done for asthma diagnosis. We selected equal number of age and sex matched individuals among respondents who gave negative response to asthma questions. The data was compiled and analyzed.

Among the 3194 respondents, there were 47.5% males and 52.5% females. Bronchial asthma prevalence was 0.91%. Risk factors such as family history of atopy and asthma, all forms of tobacco products, wall dampness in the house and pervious floor were found to be significantly associated with asthma.

Asthma prevalence was found to be low when questionnaire and spirometry was used for asthma diagnosis.

Keywords

Bronchial asthma, rural adult population, prevalence, wheezing, spirometry