Prevalence and associated factors of childhood asthma: a clinical Study at Altamyouz Emergency and Trauma Center, Khartoum, Sudan

Abstract

Bronchial asthma is a persistent inflammation of lung airways resulting in significant airflow obstruction . The study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of childhood asthma. A cross-sectional analytic study, enrolled one hundred and twenty patients through a stratified method. The prevalence rate was calculated by dividing the number of clinician-diagnosed asthma cases by the total pediatric patients visiting the emergency department. The study focused on asthma cases that were clinician- diagnosed in children aged between 1 and15 years. Data collected through structured forms contained characteristic variables, and results represented in frequency tables, bar charts and pie charts. A p-value of 0.05 or less considered statistically significant. The study revealed an asthma prevalence rate of 5.70%, predominantly among boys 55.8% aged 10 to 12 years, with mean age of 8.73±3.72 years. Revealing a significant gender disparity. Notably, 91(75.8%) of the participants were known to be allergic to various allergens. 94(78.3%) of the participants were breastfed, 85(70.8%) breastfed for a period over six months, and 73(60.8%) introduced to cow milk before completion of their first year of life. There was no significant association between childhood asthma, breastfeeding practices, or allergy status in this cohort study. Prevalence of bronchial asthma among Sudanese children is higher than other reports from pediatrics emergency departments . A substantial proportion of participants exhibited allergic conditions, suggesting the necessity for extensive research in this domain.