Study Of The Prevalence Rate Of Bronchial Asthma Among The Secondary Schools Students In Ahad Rubaida City, District Abha, Assir Region, Saudi Arabia

Objective: The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence rate of bronchial asthma among Saudi School boys (in three different schools,named Al Fauaz, Saffwan and Al Abana) at Ahad Rubaida city,district Abha,Assir region, Saudi Arabia. Another objective was to study and compare the prevalence of other allergenic diseases and environmental factors associated with bronchial asthma among asthmatic school boys and their families with their no asthmatics counterparts. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The methodology included the distribution of a selfadministered questionnaire which was filled by the 200 school boys and parents who satisfied the selection criteria of the study. Results: The prevalence rate of Questionnaire Diagnosed Asthma (QDA) were 95% for school boys and their parents suffered higher rates of allergenic diseases and environmental factors (passive smoking) than non-Questionnaire Diagnosed Asthma (NQDA). Conclusions: The prevalence of Questionnaire Diagnosed Asthma (QDA) among school boys in Ahad Rubaida city was less than those reported from other parts of the Kingdom but higher than the ones reported from Arab, developing and European countries. There is an evidence that a combination of genetic and environmental factors play a major role in the aetiology of this disease. Based on the results of this study, appropriate and practical measures need to be taken to identify causes and improve the control programs in the Ahad Rubaida city.