A Study on Risk Factors of Bronchial Asthma Among Children Attending Pediatric Outpatient Department of B. S. Medical College, Bankura

Abstract

Background: As a part of short-term research studentship program (STS) of Indian council of Medical Research, the study was conducted under Department of Community Medicine, B S Medical College, Bankura Objectives: To find out risk & triggering factors associated with the development of bronchial asthma in pediatric patients Methods: A matched case-control study was conducted at Pediatric out-patient department of B.S. Medical College and Hospital, Bankura, West Bengal on childhood bronchial asthma. Fifty children suffering from asthma were selected from asthma clinic and age and sex matched control in 1:2 ratio with cases were selected form within the children attending Pediatric OPD with diseases other than asthma. Results: Family history, passive smoking and factory near residence were found to be associated significantly with increased risk of asthma. Triggering factors like preceding infections, exercise, certain food items, cold, dust and smoke were found to induce an episode of asthma. Conclusion: Avoidance of tobacco smoke, dust, exposure to cold,and certain offending food items will be of great help to reduce the prevalence and severity of bronchial asthma for Pediatric population.