Prevalence of childhood bronchial asthma and its associated factors: A community-based study in Egypt.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of bronchial asthma (BA) among children in Dekerness district, Egypt and to identify its risk factors in the community setting. Population and Methods: This is a community-based cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in Dekerness District, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt during a period of 1 year from May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017. The targeted population was children aged 2–17 years living in the study locality. A proportional multi-stage cluster sample was taken from both rural and urban areas. Data were collected by a questionnaire completed through direct interview with the mother or caregiver and the child. Asthma was diagnosed according to International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire. Results: This study included 1,500 children with 13.4% overall prevalence of BA. Using logistic regression analysis, the independent predictors of BA prevalence were age less than 5 years old, being a male, children with birth order of three or more, passive smoking, and positive family history of BA. Conclusion: BA is highly prevalent among children and adolescents in Dekerness district. This prevalence is higher than previous reports from school-based studies. There is a need for effective prevention and management programs.