Prevalence of symptoms and severity of asthma among adolescent in Baghdad, Iraq: Based on Global Asthma Network (GAN) Phase I

Abstract

Introduction: Asthma is one of the most important chronic illnesses in the world, affecting both adults and children, but adolescents suffer from the biggest burden of the condition.
Objective: Is to assess asthma regarding current prevalence, severity of symptoms and the need for medical care among school children aged 13-14 years in Baghdad.
Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on both sides of Baghdad from Juan to September 2021, using the translated Arabic questionnaire  of  Global  Asthma  Network  (GAN)  Phase  I  and  the methodology adhered to the GAN’s protocol. A total of 43 schools were selected using multi-stage cluster sampling technique and the data was obtained via an electronic questionnaire.
Results: In this study, 2835 students 1314 (46.6%) girls and boys1521 (53.4%) boys participated. Prevalence of ever wheezing was 10.4 % among them (46.5%) had current wheezing. No significance association between boys and girls (p >0.001). 18.4% of students with current wheezing suffer from severe asthma .
The prevalence of ever asthma was 9% with no significant association between boys and girls (P= 0.39). Among asthmatics (1.9 %) reported they were hospitalized urgently for breathing difficulties more than two times  in  the  past  year,  boys  are  more  than  girls  with  significant difference between them (p= 0.02). 17.3% of the students with ever asthma missed school in the past year because of breathing difficulties and it was significantly higher in girls (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The prevalence of current wheeze in school children aged 13-14  years in  Baghdad  was  very  high  compared  to  the  global prevalence.