A Survey on Knowledge and Management of Childhood Asthma outside Dhaka

Abstract

Asthma is a common long-term condition that can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and breathlessness. Asthma is a chronic condition affecting the lungs which can be managed but not cured. Symptoms associated with asthma are usually controllable and reversible with treatment. Our study was aimed to know the current situation of childhood asthma, parents knowledge on that and prescribing pattern among patients. The study was conducted on a total number of 185 patients by using a structured questionnaire. The location of our study was Chittagong, Mymensingh, Comilla, Narayanganj & Chandpur. This study results showed that the prevalence of asthma increased for those children who have common cold (56.03%), allergy (42.07%) & symptoms oriented with dust, irritants (55.14%). From our study it has shown that family history of asthma was 34.78%. The prescribing pattern among the patients represents that almost 73.51% took antibiotics for respiratory tract infection. Most of the doctors prescribed combined bronchodilator (60.54%) in acute exacerbation of asthma symptoms. To increase consciousness, knowledge, management & adherence to treatment are the best way to reduce the prevalence and risk factors of asthma.