Screening for asthma and associated risk factors among urban school boys in Abha city

Objective: The objective of the present study was to measure the prevalence of asthma and asthma-related symptoms among male school children in Abha C ity and to determine some of the possible risk factors influencing its occu rrence, Methods: A randomly selected sample of 4300 male school children aged 7 to 15 years in Abha were subjected to a previously validated questionnaire for asthma to be completed by parents. Asthma was identified based on the Rush Medical College and international Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childre n questionnaire. Information of asthma family history, asthma related sympt oms, and other atopic conditions, smokers in the family, pets ownership and monthly family income were collected. Results: The overall prevalence of asthma was 9% (95% Confidence Interval: 7.73%-9.67%). Doctor-diagnosed asthma was reported by 4%, exercise-induced asthma by 4% and wheeze in the past year by 8%, Multiple logistic regressio n analysis showed that positive family history of atopic condition (Odds Ra tio=437.11, P<0.001), pets ownership (Odds Ratio=2.91, p<0.001), and lower monthly family income (Odds Ratio=2.00, P<0.02) were significant factors in fluencing the development of asthma. Conclusion: in conclusion, the screening methodology adopted in this study could be applied for all children at the beginning of the school year, bein g simple and non invasive measure. The prevalence of asthma in school child ren in Abha is greater than that reported from most developing countries an d closer to the rates reported in developed countries. Avoidance of pets ow nership at home, improving social class and premarital counselling for atop ic persons are all recommended.