Prevalence and determinants of Asthma in adults in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory disease that is caused by biological and environmental factors. These factors can be in the form of dust, chemicals, smoke, allergens, and viruses. Approximately, 315 million people are affected with asthma worldwide. This study is designed to determine the prevalence of asthma in adults of different ages and its symptoms and main determinants in the Mardan and Peshawar districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar and Bacha Khan Medical Complex Mardan from May 2020 to March 2021. Data were collected from 1,400 individuals, and the prevalence of asthma was reported to be 22.57% (n=316). Asthma prevalence was reported to be more in men (55.7%) compared to women (44.3%) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Asthma was most common between people aged 18-27 years (31%). The majority of asthma patients were obese (53.8%) compared to non-obese (46.2%) patients. The most common symptoms of asthma were respiratory infections including the common cold, flu and pneumonia (89.87%), followed by chest pain, dyspnea (88.6%) and wheezing (83.54%). %). Risk factors for asthma include allergens exposure to dust mites, pollen, animal dander and cold air, family history of the disease, smoking, consumption of food containing sulphites and preservatives and use of certain medications including beta-blockers and aspirin in the KPK province of Pakistan. The government should conduct awareness campaigns in various cities, where proper lung function tests and other drugs using corticosteroids should be used to control the spread of the disease.