Date of Award

5-2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Environmental Science

First Advisor

Dr. Fatima Shad Kaneez

Second Advisor

Dr. Jose Joseph

Third Advisor

Prof. Phillip Williams Dean

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the current epidemiological pattern of bronchial asthma among the schoolchildren aged 7-12 years old in 60 government primary schools at Abu Dhabi city -UAE.

The analytical cross-section design (ACSD) was chosen as a suitable method to investigate the exposure variables (environmental risk factors) and prevalence of bronchial asthma simultaneously in a representative samples.

A self-administered questionnaire was completed by the parents of the school children to collect information regarding bronchial asthma, other related allergic conditions and family history of respiratory allergy.

Analyses of the effect of the different socio-demographic variables and clinical history data of 3521 cases have been done. Out of which 503 (14.28%) asthmatic cases have been found. The socio-demographic data finding that father's educational level were preparatory education (35.8%) of asthmatic and (31.7%) of non-asthmatic cases with significant difference was found (P<0.05).

Asthmatic male were higher (54.67%) than non-asthmatic male (47.75%) and statistical significant difference was found to be (P<0.05). While asthmatic female were lower (45.53%) than non-asthmatic (52.2%) statistical significant difference was found (P<0.05).

Maternal asthma was higher among the asthmatic group (15%) than non-asthmatic (10.3%) a statistical significant difference was found between these two groups (P<0.05). History of asthmatic father's (11.9%) had the strongest associations with childhood asthma than non-asthmatic (8.2%). and the difference was found to be (P<0.05).

Frequency of allergic rhinitis symptoms was significantly higher in asthmatic children (7.9%) than non-asthmatic (1.8%). And their relationship was also significant difference (p<0.05).Indoor pollution (smoking) is a risk of development of bronchial asthma among the studied cases exhibited that father's smoking (56%) among the asthmatic and (37.9%) of non-asthmatic cases with a significant difference was found (p<0.05). The finding support the hypothesis that environmental risk factors, socio-demographic and family history may be had strong association factors of asthma.

The research had provided a good amount of quality data that can be of great advantage for school health programs as well as for research and development.

More comparative and community-based studies are needed to determine the differences among the various geographical areas of UAE and ethnic groups.

A detailed genetic study and a modified health education system are required in this region. Health care and school-health delivery system needs exhaustive assessment

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