Asthma: prevalence, knowledge, attitude and practices among secondary school pupils in dar es salaam and Bagamoyo

Abstract

Background; Scanty information is available on factors associated with increase in the prevalence of Asthma. Little is known about knowledge, attitude and practices of asthma and its determinants in the general population. A descriptive cross sectional study was done in Ilala district in Dar es Salaam region and Bagamoyo district in Pwani region. To determine prevalence, knowledge, attitude and practl~'ces towards asthma among secondary school pupils. Study procedure; A questionnaire was administered to all consenting pupils. Information recorded included self reported asthma, wheeze in the last twelve months, socio-demographic characteristics, weight height and peak expiratory flow measurements before and after exercise. Results; Prevalence of wheeze in the last 12 months was 11.5% in Bagamoyo and 22.7% in Ilala (p<0.O0l). Prevalence of self reported asthma was 17.6% llala and 6.4% Bagamoyo (p<O.OO I ). There was a positive linear correlation between Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and height in both districts(R-0.5) in Bagamoyo, (R-0.7) in Ilala. The mean PEFR of male pupils was 478.05(77.99) in Ilala and 484.04(79.18) in Bagamoyo (p<0.33). That of female pupils was 400(57.00) in Ilala and 393.92(62.02) in Bagamoyo (p<O.28). Prevalence of exercise-induced asthma at percentage reduction in PEFR of 20% was 12/516(2~4%) of pupils in Bagamoyo, and 28/439(6.3%) of pupils in Ilala (P<0.002) and at 12% reduction in PEFR was 36/439(8.1%) among pupils in Ilala and 40/516(7.7o\o) among pupils in Bagamoyo. (P< 0.798) A reduction by 15% in PEFR was observed in 7.2% of pupils in Ilala and 4.3% of pupils in Bagamoyo (P.04). Knowledge of asthma symptoms was higher among pupils in Ilala than Bagamoyo. Cough, wheeze and chest tightness were the main reported symptoms of asthma in both districts~ Pupils in Bagamoyo had unfavorable attitudes towards asthma practices than pupils in Ilala (p<0.009).

Conclusion; Prevalence of asthma is high among secondary school pupils of Ilala than Bagamoyo. Most of the diagnoses of asthma are made outside the hospital, with non-medical persons. Traditional herbs/practices are still used as one of the main remedies of asthma. Negative attitudes towards sharing activities with asthmatic peers are seen more among pupils of Bagamoyo than Ilala.