Some Epidemiological Aspects of Bronchial Asthma in Children in Qena Governorate, Egypt

Background: Bronchial asthma is one of the most prevalent diseases affecting children in both developed and developing countries. Due to paucity of data, we believe that epidemiological state of asthma should be wellestimated. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the epidemiology and risk factors of asthma among children with bronchial asthma in Qena Governorate, Egypt. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on children with bronchial asthma in Qena district in Upper Egypt during the period from April 2013 to March 2014. All patients were subjected to clinical and epidemiological data questionnaires including personal and demographic data, precipitating factors for acute exacerbation, clinical manifestations during acute exacerbation, history suggestive for other atopic diseases, asthma grading at diagnosis and course of the disease. Results: Of the 100 studied asthmatic children, the percentage of males and urban resident asthmatic children was more than females and rural resident children respectively. Regarding socioeconomic status, low socioeconomic level children showed a highly significant effect as risk factors for asthma compared to middle and high socioeconomic level children. Exercise-induced asthma was found in up to 37%, allergic rhinitis in 44%, atopic dermatitis in 67% and food allergy in 22% of asthmatic children. According to asthma severity, mild intermittent cases were the most frequent among total children. Conclusion: Bronchial asthma is an important public health problem among children and adolescents in Qena district and this necessitates an adequate attention. There is also a need for public health policy in Egypt including upper Egypt planning on reducing environmental triggers, and educating health care personnel on the preventive measures of asthma.