PREVALENCE OF ASTHMA SYMPTOMS IN 6 – 12 YEARS OLD PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN MUSHIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE

Abstract

Background to the study: Bronchial asthma is a chronic disease of childhood associated with
prolonged morbidity, frequent hospitalizations and missed school days. Asthma affects about 300
million people all over the world. The prevalence is on the increase globally.
Objective: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of asthma symptoms in 6 – 12 year
old primary school children in Mushin LGA of Lagos State and to determine the relationship if any
between asthma symptoms and socio – demographic indices such as age, gender, and socio economic
class of the children and the proportion of children with asthma symptoms whose family members
have similar symptoms.
Method: A cross sectional study among 6 – 12 years old primary school children of Mushin LGA.
The subjects were selected using multistage sampling method. Data was collected using questionnaire
of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) administered on the parents
and guardian of 1593 children randomly selected among 15 primary schools in Mushin LGA.
Result: A total of 1446 (92%) out of the 1593 questionnaires administered were completed. There
were 741 males and 725 females giving male to female ratio of 1:1. Cumulative prevalence of the
wheezing symptoms was 18.2%, prevalence of current wheeze was 14.3%.Prevalence of doctor
diagnosed asthma was 8.3% while prevalence of wheezing with exercise was 11.9%. Prevalence of
current wheeze was higher in males than female. Prevalence of current wheeze increased with age.
Family history of asthma was significantly associated with current wheeze.
Conclusion The findings from this study demonstrate high prevalence of asthma symptoms among 6
12years old primary school children in Mushin LGA of Lagos state. Asthma education should be
incorporated into school health programme to increase public awareness on asthma and asthma
symptoms.

PREVALENCE OF ASTHMA SYMPTOMS IN 6 – 12 YEARS OLD PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN MUSHIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE