Prevalence and Clinico-sociodemographic Factors of Asthmatic Children Aged 1 to 14 Years: A Prospective Descriptive Cross-sectional Study in Gandaki Province, Nepal

Abstract

Introduction Pediatric asthma poses a significant public health challenge, impacting children’s health and quality of life. As asthma prevalence continues to rise globally, understanding its epidemiology is crucial for developing effective management strategies. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and associated demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics of pediatric asthma among children aged 1 to 14 years. Methods This study employed a prospective descriptive cross-sectional design. Data were collected from a diagnosed asthmatic children attending pediatric department of the GP Koirala National Respiratory Centre and Hospital, Tanahun, Ganaki, Nepal over three months from April 20, 2023 by assessing demographic factors (age, gender, residence), socioeconomic status, clinical history (family history and comorbid conditions), and asthma severity. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 23 using descriptive statistics. Results Prevalence rate of pediatric asthma was 3.08%. The demographic analysis revealed that most participants were aged 1-5 years (53%), predominantly male (64.9%), and resided in urban areas (59.6%). Socioeconomic data indicated that 59.6% came from low-income households, suggesting a potential link between socioeconomic status and asthma prevalence. Clinically, 53% had a family history of asthma, with 26.3% presenting with comorbid allergic rhinitis. Asthma severity assessments showed that 50% had mild asthma, 33.33% had moderate asthma, and 16.67% had severe asthma. Conclusion This study highlights a low prevalence of asthma in the pediatric population at GP Koirala National Respiratory Centre and Hospital, yet emphasizes the burden faced by younger children, especially those from low-income backgrounds. The correlations between asthma prevalence, socioeconomic status, and comorbid conditions underscore the need for targeted public health interventions and comprehensive management strategies. Further research is warranted to deepen understanding and enhance healthcare services for affected children.