Nonadherence to antiasthmatic medications and its predictors among asthmatic patients in public hospitals of Bahir Dar City, North West Ethiopia: using ASK-12 tool

Hypertension is defined as the sustained elevation of blood pressure to levels greater than 140/90 mmHg. It is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide, accounting for 13% of total deaths and 7% of the global burden of disease. This condition can be significantly reduced by strictly adhering to various self-care practices for hypertension management, including compliance with prescribed antihypertensive medications, reducing salt intake, consuming a balanced diet, avoiding harmful alcohol use, engaging in regular physical exercise, and quitting tobacco smoking. The aim of this study is to determine self-care practices and associated factors, as well as to explore barriers to these practices among hypertensive patients in public hospitals in Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia. An institution-based descriptive cross-sectional study, triangulated with qualitative research, was conducted from March 12 to April 12, 2021. A total of 415 participants were selected from three study settings. Data collected from a structured questionnaire were entered into EpiData v3.01 and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Both univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were performed. The statistical significance of associations between variables was determined using odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and p-values below 0.05. Eight purposively selected individuals participated in the qualitative component of the study. Good self-care practices for hypertension were observed in 44.8% of participants. Significant predictors of good hypertension self-care practices included age ≥ 60, education level of secondary school or higher, employment in government positions, controlled blood pressure, good knowledge about hypertension, strong social support, and a positive perceived health status, with Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) of 3.04 (1.26, 7.33), 7.82 (2.79, 21.98), 1.53 (1.53, 14.90), 3.14 (1.70, 5.80), 2.27 (1.17, 4.41), 2.71 (1.31, 5.61), and 2.56 (1.35, 4.85), respectively. Major identified barriers included lack of emotional stability and stress, financial problems, lack of commitment, lack of attention, and inadequate counseling from health professionals. Less than half of the participants demonstrated good self-care practices for managing hypertension. Strategies, programs, and guidelines should be developed to help clients understand the importance of multi-dimensional well-being in relation to various aspects of hypertension self-care practices. Furthermore, all patients should receive comprehensive and tailored information on recommended self-care practices and be assessed for barriers to adherence to these practices.

Background: Bronchial Asthma is a major public health burden that affects a large number of individuals. Inhalers are an important part for the treatment of bronchial asthma. The present study is aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practices regarding use of metered dose inhaler among bronchial asthma patients, to find out the relation between knowledge, attitude and practices on metered dose inhaler use with demographics variables and observe the skill of using metered dose inhaler among bronchial asthma patients. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 100 adult patients diagnosed as bronchial asthma and were using metered dose inhaler from in and outpatient department of medicine in Chittagong Medical College Hospital during January to December 2013. Data collection was done by face to face interview through structured questionnaire. After collection, data were analysed and presented to find out demographic pattern and association of knowledge, attitude and practices towards use of metered dose inhalers. Results: Among study population, age of the patients was between 18-65 years with a mean ± SD age of 40.52 ±13.70 years. Male were 54% and female were 46% with male female ratio was 1.2:1. 58% patients were living in rural area and 32% were illiterate. Family history of bronchial asthma was present in 42% and duration of disease was 5-10 years in 48%. 62% patients were using inhaler for 1-5 years and 78% were using metered dose inhaler without spacer. The knowledge, attitude, practice and inhalation technique score were poor (68%, 64%, 80%, 38%) respectively. The mean score of knowledge, attitude, practices and inhalation technique were 9.08 ± 4.36, 9.52 ± 3.08, 4.18 ± 1.36 and 6.06 ±1.42 respectively. The knowledge score was significantly related with age, sex, residence, level of education, socio-economic status and duration of using inhaler (p<0.05) but no significant relation was found with duration of disease (p>0.05). There was a positive relation between attitude and age, sex, residence, level of education, socio-economic status and duration of using inhaler (p<0.05) but no relation was found with duration of disease (p>0.05). The practices score was significantly associated with age, residence, level of education, socio-economic status and duration of using inhaler p<0.05) but no association was found with sex and duration of disease (p>0.05). The Inhalation technique response was highly significant with sex, residence, level of education, socio-economic status and duration of using inhaler (p<0.05) but no relation was found with age and duration of disease (p>0.05). Conclusion: The study showed that poor Knowledge, negative attitudes and poor practices about use of metered dose inhaler among a majority of bronchial asthma patients which are more in females, illiterates, low socioeconomic and rural subjects.
 JCMCTA 2017 ; 28 (2) : 46-52

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the proportion of nutrition-related information-seeking behaviour and its associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public hospitals in Bahir Dar City, northwest Ethiopia, 2023.Method A cross-sectional quantitative supplemented with qualitative study design was conducted from March to April 2023 among 406 pregnant women. Pre-tested structured interviewer-administered and semistructured open-ended questionnaires were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Data were collected using the Kobo toolbox, and SPSS V.25 was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to describe study subjects, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate the associated factors. The strength of associations was described using the OR with the corresponding 95% CI.ResultThe study included 406 pregnant mothers with a median age of 28 with an IQR of 8 and 212 (52.2%) from rural settings. Of the total respondents, 173 (42.6%; 95% CI 37.7 to 47.6) of pregnant mothers were nutrition-related information seekers. Educational status, residence, monthly income and nutrition information literacy were significantly associated with nutrition-related information-seeking behaviour.ConclusionThe proportion of nutrition information seeking among pregnant mothers in Bahir Dar City public hospitals was low. Lower educational status, low nutrition information literacy level, being from a rural residence and low monthly income are significantly associated factors.RecommendationAwareness creation for pregnant mothers from rural areas and with low educational status and improving nutrition information literacy of pregnant mothers are important activities to improve their nutrition information-seeking behaviour.

Objectives Few studies have assessed the role of socioeconomic health care disparities in skull base pathologies. We compared the clinical history and outcomes of pituitary tumors at private and public hospitals to delineate whether health care disparities exist in pituitary tumor surgery. Methods We reviewed the records of patients who underwent transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection at NYU Langone Health and Bellevue Hospital. Seventy-two consecutive patients were identified from each hospital. The primary outcome was time-to-surgery from initial recommendation. Secondary outcomes included postoperative diabetes insipidus, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, and gross total resection. Results Of 144 patients, 23 (32%) public hospital patients and 24 (33%) private hospital patients had functional adenomas ( p = 0.29). Mean ages for public and private hospital patients were 46.5 and 51.1 years, respectively ( p = 0.06). Private hospital patients more often identified as white ( p < 0.001), spoke English ( p < 0.001), and had private insurance ( p < 0.001). The average time-to-surgery for public and private hospital patients were 46.2 and 34.8 days, respectively ( p = 0.39). No statistically significant differences were found in symptom duration, tumor size, reoperation, CSF leak, or postoperative length of stay; however, public hospital patients more frequently required emergency surgery ( p = 0.03), developed transient diabetes insipidus ( p = 0.02), and underwent subtotal resection ( p = 0.04). Conclusion Significant socioeconomic differences exist among patients undergoing pituitary surgery at our institution's hospitals. Public hospital patients more often required emergency surgery, developed diabetes insipidus, and underwent subtotal tumor resection. Identifying these differences is an imperative initial step in improving the care of our patients.

BackgroundInadequate intake of micronutrients in lactating women was prevalent worldwide. In particular, to our knowledge, there has been little report concerning Ethiopian lactating women regarding their micronutrient intake. Our objective was to assess micronutrient intake inadequacy and its associated factors among lactating women in Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021.MethodsCommunity-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 15 to March 05, 2021. Four hundred thirteen respondents were selected through systematic random sampling. Data were collected by interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire and a single multiphasic 24 hours dietary recall was used to assess dietary assessment. Data entry and analysis were carried out using EpiData and SPSS respectively. The ESHA food processor, Ethiopian food composition table, and world food composition table have used the calculation of nutrient values of the selected micronutrient. The nutrient intakes were assessed by Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR) and Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR). Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was done to identify the factors of overall micronutrient intake inadequacy.ResultThe overall prevalence of micronutrient intake inadequacy across 12 nutrients was 39.9% [95% CI (34.9, 45.0)]. The inadequate intake of vitamin A was 98.2%. Similarly, the inadequate intake of B vitamins ranges from 13.4% to 68.5%. The insufficient intakes of calcium, iron, and zinc were 70.9%, 0%, and 4.7%, respectively. Around 36 and 91.6% of the respondents had inadequate intake of selenium and sodium, respectively. On multivariable logistic regression analysis; Being divorced was 2.7 times more likely to have overall micronutrient intake inadequacy than being married [AOR = 2.71, 95% CI (1.01, 7.33)]. The odds of overall micronutrient intake inadequacy were 2.6 higher in merchants than in housewives [AOR = 2.63, 95% CI (1.40, 4.93)]. Lactating women who had poor nutritional knowledge were 2.7 times more likely to have overall micronutrient intake inadequacy than those who had good nutritional knowledge [AOR = 2.71, 95% CI (1.47, 4.99)].Conclusion and recommendationOverall, the micronutrient intake in lactating women was lower than the recommended levels. Therefore; educating lactating women about appropriate dietary intake is essential.

Exclusive breastfeeding practice and associated factors among first-time mothers in Bahir Dar city, North West Ethiopia: A community based cross sectional study

Introduction Job satisfaction is a pleasurable or positive emotional state resulting from evaluating one's job or job experiences. However, knowledge of workplace factors that either satisfy employees to keep working or dissatisfy them making them leave their jobs or working places is essential for decision-making. Thus, this study is aimed at assessing job satisfaction and associated factors among healthcare professionals working at public and private hospitals in Bahir Dar city, northwest Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based comparative cross-sectional study design was conducted from 10 February 2020 to 29 May 2020. A total of 520 health professionals were selected from public and private health facilities using stratified systematic random sampling techniques. Data were collected using structured pretested self-administered questionnaires. A binary logistic regression model with Huber-White robust standard error was fitted to identify job satisfaction and associated factors among healthcare professionals working at public and private hospitals. A less than 0.05 p value and an Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were considered to have a statistically significant association with the outcome variable. Results The overall magnitude of job satisfaction was 55.2% (95% CI: 51.0, 59.4%). At public and private hospitals, the provider's satisfaction was 29.0% (95% CI: 23.2, 35.1%) and 81.23% (95% CI: 76.6, 85.8%), respectively. Working at private hospital (AOR: 8.89; 95% CI: 5.14, 15.35), pleasant nature of work (AOR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.05, 3.15), autonomy (AOR: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.29, 4.33), adequate supportive supervision (AOR: 2.42; 95% CI: 1.33, 4.40), good reward and recognition (AOR: 3.04; 95% CI: 1.37, 6.75), and high normative commitment (AOR: 2.57; 95% CI: 1.48, 4.43) were factors affecting the overall job satisfaction of health professionals. Conclusions The magnitude of job satisfaction was relatively low in private and public hospital health professionals and severe among health professionals working in public hospitals. Healthcare policy-makers and hospital managers need to develop and institutionalize evidence-based satisfaction strategies considering the predictors of health professional's job satisfaction.

Undernutrition contributes to nearly half of global cancer-related deaths. In Ethiopia, previous studies using the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) have reported an undernutrition prevalence of 30-60% among cancer patients. The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria offer a standardized, evidence-based approach by combining phenotypic and etiologic factors. However, their application and related evidence remain limited in Ethiopia, particularly in Bahir Dar City. To assess the prevalence of undernutrition and its associated factors among adult cancer patients receiving follow-up care at public referral hospitals in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia, in 2024. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 403 cancer patients on follow-up at Felege Hiwot and Tibebe Ghion Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals from June 8 to July 8, 2024. Participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire and through chart reviews. Anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, and clinical data were used to assess undernutrition based on the GLIM criteria. Data were entered using the KoboToolbox and analyzed with SPSS version 26. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with undernutrition. Statistical significance was determined at a 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value < 0.05. The study included 393 participants, yielding a response rate of 97.8%. The prevalence of undernutrition among adult cancer patients was 50.3% (95% CI: 44.4%-55.5%), with 31.5% classified as severely undernourished and 18.8% as moderately undernourished. Multivariable analysis identified four factors significantly associated with undernutrition: loss of appetite (AOR = 18.21, 95% CI: 10.01-33.12), presence of chronic comorbidities (AOR = 3.86, 95% CI: 1.67-8.94), female sex (AOR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.17-4.03), and larger tumor size, with the highest risk observed in T4 tumors (AOR = 17.98, 95% CI: 6.45-29.19). Undernutrition was common among adult cancer patients in Bahir Dar City, with loss of appetite, female sex, tumor size, and comorbidities as significant predictors. Early application of the GLIM criteria, management of treatment-related symptoms, and targeted nutrition interventions for high-risk groups, particularly women, are recommended to improve patient outcomes. Not applicable.

BackgroundMyopia is the leading cause of correctable visual impairment and preventable blindness worldwide. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of myopia. Myopia is appearing with greater prevalence in young children.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of myopia among school children in Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia, 2019.Methods and materialsA school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among school children of 6 to 18 years of age in Bahir Dar city from October to November 2019. A pretested interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data among 634 participants using a multi-stage sampling technique from primary and secondary schools. Cycloplegic refraction was performed by optometrists for each student with 1% cyclopentolate eye drop, and subjective refraction was carried out to determine the final prescription of the students. Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent refractive error of ≥ 0.5 diopter in either eye. Data were entered into Epi Info version 7 and exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23 for analysis. Tables, frequency, and mean were used for descriptive statistics. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to identify risk factors of myopia. Odds ratio with 95% confidence level was determined and variables with p–value of < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.ResultsAmong a total of 601 study participants, 51 (8.49%) were myopic. Age group of 10–13 years (AOR = 6.54: 95% CI = 5.56–10.86), 14–18 years (AOR = 6.32: 95% CI = 5.32–9.69), 2–4 hour per day mobile exposure (AOR = 3.69: 95% CI = 1.63–8.38), > 4 hour per day mobile exposure (AOR = 11.6: 95% CI = 4.41–30.42), near working distance of < 33 centimeter (AOR = 6.89: 95% CI = 2.71–17.56) and outdoor activity (AOR = 3.94: 95% CI = 1.87–8.31) were significantly associated with myopia.ConclusionsThe prevalence of myopia was high among school children in Bahir Dar city. Older age, longer duration of mobile exposure, shorter near working distance were the risk factors for the development of myopia whereas having outdoor activity was the protective factor.

Blood donation is a technique in which blood is collected from a healthy individual for transfusion to someone else. WHO estimates that it is necessary to donate blood to 2% to 3% of the country's population to meet blood needs. However, blood donation remains challenging in developing countries. This study aimed to identify factors influencing blood donation practices among healthcare providers in public hospitals in Bahir Dar City. This institution-based unmatched case-control study was conducted in Bahir Dar City Public Hospitals from May 01 to May 25, 2022. Total sample size was 491 (123 cases and 368 controls) and then the study subject was selected by using simple random sampling technic and collect data through self-administered questionnaire. Bi-variable and multi-variable binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association between dependent and independent variables. Finally, the results are presented in charts and tables, and the AOR and CI are reported. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Fear of anemia (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.02; 95% CI 0.007-0.078), lack of opportunity (AOR: 0.42; 95% CI 0.22-0.83), lack of time (AOR: 0.03; 95% CI, 0.005-0.199), profession (AOR: 0.15; 95% CI, 0.05-0.42), aware of free medical checkup (AOR: 31.79; 95% CI 13.13-76.94), willingness to donate blood (AOR: 5.09; 95% CI 2.25-11.50), blood group type (AOR: 5.67; 95% CI 1.42-22.68), and higher work experience (AOR: 7.99; 95% CI 2.59-24.67) were found to be significantly associated with blood donation practice. This study revealed that multiple factors influenced the practice of blood donation among healthcare providers. Therefore, access to blood donation areas and emphasizing the importance of donor blood donation are important for facilitating blood donation.

Healthcare management plays a critical role in improving clinical outcomes. Globally, there has been an increasing focus on person-centred care as a means to enhance healthcare management. In Mongolia, although person-centered care is reflected in health sector policy documents and accreditation standards, the associated health outcome indicators remain insufficiently comprehensive. Therefore, this study was designed to assess person-centred care in hospitals and to compare the differences between public and private hospitals. The study involved physicians, healthcare workers, and patients from three public hospitals and three private hospitals. A cross-sectional study design was employed, using the Person-Centred Climate Questionnaire to assess perceptions of person-centred care. Key factors were identified through principal component analysis. Differences between public and private hospitals were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA test. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, and sample adequacy was evaluated using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test. Patients in both public and private hospitals rated person-centred care based on two factors: the climate of safety and the climate of everydayness. Physicians and healthcare workers in public hospitals also assessed person-centred care using these two factors, whereas those in private hospitals identified only one factor. The climate of hospitality—a key dimension of person-centred care—was not measured in any of the surveyed hospitals. Patients in public hospitals rated person-centred care more highly than those in private hospitals. However, physicians and healthcare workers gave higher ratings to private hospitals compared to public hospitals.

BackgroundAsthma and pneumonia are common respiratory conditions worldwide. Pneumonia is a life-threatening lung infection and a frequent comorbidity among adult asthmatic patients, often causing hospital admission. Despite the global burden, evidence on determinants of pneumonia among adult asthmatic patients in Ethiopia is limited.ObjectiveThis study aimes to identify determinants of pneumonia among adult asthmatic patients attending public hospitals in Awi Zone, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA multicenter unmatched case-control study was conducted from August 20 to October 25, 2025 among 359 adult asthmatic patients (120 cases and 239 controls) in public hospitals of Awi Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Eligible participants were adults aged ≥18 years with ≥6 months asthma diagnosis and ≥3 months follow-up. Cases were asthmatic patients with pneumonia, and controls were those without pneumonia. Patients with COPD and newly diagnosed asthma were excluded. Participants were selected consecutively. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires and medical records. Determinants were identified using bivariable and multivariable logistic regression, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.ResultsCases were older than controls, with mean ages of 60.25 ± 15.36 and 44.85 ± 11.04 years, respectively. In multivariable analysis, demographic, behavioral, and clinical factors were associated with pneumonia. Increasing age (AOR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01–1.10) and current alcohol use (AOR = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.03–4.38) increased the odds. Prior hospital admission for acute asthma exacerbation showed the strongest association (AOR = 13.22, 95% CI: 9.55–19.51). Inhaled corticosteroid use (AOR = 4.06, 95% CI: 3.16–7.23) and loss of follow-up (AOR = 4.48, 95% CI: 3.42–7.16) were also associated with higher odds, while controlled asthma was protective (AOR = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.02–0.16).ConclusionAge, alcohol use, prior hospitalization, inhaled corticosteroid use, and irregular follow-up increased pneumonia risk, while controlled asthma was protective. Strengthening follow-up and interventions may reduce pneumonia among asthmatic patients.

Background: Patient's autonomy is an imperative issue in the health service field.It is a known fact that patient's awareness and understanding of legal and ethical issues related to the consent process is often limited.Adequate information before a surgical procedure is fundamental to give informed consent.Information should include a description of the benefits, risks and complications of the intended procedure as well the alternative treatment options.Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare patients in public and private hospitals of Kuwait as regards their understanding of legal implications, view about the scope, value and function of consent form during the clinical practice.Methods: A comparative descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in 6 public and 2 private hospitals from January to June 2016 in the state of Kuwait.A total of 910 patients aged 18 years old and above admitted to the surgery departments in the selected hospitals were invited.Structured self-administered questionnaires were distributed to the patients hospitalized in the selected departments of Kuwaiti hospitals.The questionnaire was pilot-tested prior to being finalized.Statistical analysis for the achieved data was done.Results: Of 910 patients, 805 (88.5%) completed the questionnaires.Patients in public hospitals were 584 (72.5%) while those in private hospitals were 221 (27.5%).Significantly higher proportion of patients in private hospitals were in the view that signing the consent form is a legal requirement (88.7%).Significantly more private sector patients agreed that signing the consent form means that all exactly are present in the consent form (91.0%), and the doctor cannot do anything different from what was on the form unless it is lifesaving (82.4%).More patients in private sector hospitals agreed about the statements that the consent form made it clear what was going to happen (79.6%) and the consent form gave the doctors control over what happened (72.9%).There were no statistical significant differences observed between patients in the two disciplines as regards their responses to the statements: the consent form is important (p = 0.167), the consent form made the patient aware of the risks of the operation (p = 0.520), the consent form made the patient wishes known (p = 0.393), the consent form prevents mix ups during the operation (p = 0.470), the consent form was just another piece of paper (p = 0.361), the patient just signed the consent form so he/she could have the operation (p = 0.053) and signing the consent form was mainly to protect the hospital (p = 0.049).Conclusion: Patients in public and private hospitals have limited knowledge of the legal implications of signing or not signing consent forms, indicates that consenting in its current form is not informed and should be reassessed in order to achieve patient autonomy.The policy and decision makers need to develop educational program towards inform consent.

Background: Asthma is one of the most popular chronic diseases in children. It is defined as a complicated inflammatory disorder in which the patient suffers from chronic and persistent inflammation of the airways. The sialylated glycoprotein Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6), one of the lung epithelium-specific proteins, has been recognized as a significant biomarker which directly associates with interstitial lung disease (ILD) pathogenesis, indicating the extent of damage and regeneration of type II pneumocytes. Objective: the aim of this study is to investigate the degree of alveolar damage in asthmatic children with acute exacerbation as reflected by serum KL-6 levels. Methods: This cross-sectional controlled study included 50 patients with acute asthma exacerbation diagnosed as per the GINA guidelines definition and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy children as controls. Spirometry was done for all participants. Serum KL-6 level was estimated by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and total serum IgE level was measured via the electrochemiluminescence technology. Results: The asthma patients included 35 (70%) males and 15 (30%) females with mean age of 10.76 ±1.9 years. Forty-seven patients (94%) had a positive family history of bronchial asthma and 32 (64%) had other atopic manifestations The mean serum KL-6 level in patients was more than double the mean level of the control group (115.79 vs 55.64). No significant relation was observed between KL-6 serum level and age, family history of asthma, seasonal variation, or atopic manifestation among the cases. Serum total IgE levels were significantly higher in cases compared to controls (P<0.05). Conclusion: Serum KL-6 levels in pediatric asthma patients may be a useful diagnostic tool for detecting and monitoring the severity of airway inflammation. The use of serum KL-6 alone may help to differentiate between asthmatic patients in exacerbation and healthy controls.

Little is known about the influence of asthma status on humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine viruses. We compared the virus-specific IgG levels and lymphoproliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to MMR vaccine viruses between asthmatic and nonasthmatic patients. The study subjects included 342 healthy children aged 12-18 years who had received two doses of the MMR vaccine. We ascertained asthma status by applying predetermined criteria. Of the 342 subjects, 230 were available for this study of whom 25 were definite asthmatic patients (10.9%) and the rest of subjects were nonasthmatic patients. The mean of the log-transformed lymphoproliferative responses between definite asthma and nonasthma who had a family history of asthma were for measles, 0.92 ± 0.31 versus 1.54 ± 0.17 (p = 0.125); for mumps, 0.98 ± 0.64 versus 2.20 ± 0.21 (p = 0.035); and for rubella, 0.12 ± 0.37 versus 0.97 ± 0.16 (p = 0.008), respectively, adjusting for the duration between the first MMR vaccination and determination of the immune responses. There were no such differences among children without a family history of asthma. MMR virus-specific IgG levels were not different between study subjects with or without asthma. The study findings suggest asthmatic patients may have a suboptimal cell-mediated immune response to MMR vaccine viruses and a family history of asthma modifies this effect.