A Study To Assess The Prevalence Of Bronchial Asthma Among School Children Aged (5-16) Years At Selected School, Villupuram District, Tamilnadu

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of bronchial asthma among school children aged (5 to 16) years , those who were studying in Government primary and Higher Secondary School in rural Melsevalampadi, Villupuram districts Tamil Nadu. A descriptive prevalence cross sectional design was used in this study total 448 children were collected by using non -probability convenient sampling technique .The mean , standard deviation and chi-square were used to analyses the data. The result of this study stated that the prevalence of bronchial asthma among school children were categorized as known asthma diagnosis (n=47), Not at risk of asthma (n=323) and risk for undiagnosed asthma (n=78) who were affected with cold , cough or rhinitis itching, rashes and nocturnal dry cough . In known asthma group of children were sub categorized as intermittent asthma (n=18), mild persistent asthma (n=14), moderate persistent asthma (n=8) and severe persistent asthma (n=7). The prevalence is more among 5-8 age group (16.5%) and 9 - 12 years age group (14.3%) compared to the 13-16 years age group (4.6%) . Boys (12.5%) and girls (8.9%) had comparable prevalence rates and prevalence of bronchial asthma more among those with family history of asthma, economic status and family history of smoking habits.