Prevalence and determinants of bronchial asthma among children of age group 5–15 years in an urban setting in central Kerala, India: A cross-sectional study

Background: Asthma, the most common childhood noncommunicable disease, is escalating globally, causing an annual loss of 1.9 disability-adjusted life years per thousand children under 15 in India. With atypical symptoms prevalent, the true disease burden is likely higher. This study, conducted in an urban setting in Central Kerala, aimed to assess bronchial asthma prevalence and associated factors in children aged 5–15 years. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 818 children aged 5–15 in Ettumanoor, Kerala, was conducted using cluster sampling from seven randomly selected Anganwadi areas. The study utilized a semistructured interview schedule based on the ISSAC questionnaire, conducted from March 1, 2015, to March 1, 2016. Results: In this study of 818 children (52.6% males, 66.4% middle socioeconomic class), bronchial asthma prevalence was 10.1% (8.26%-12.41%). Significant associations included joint family, male gender, eczema history, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, family history of asthma, atopy, floor carpet, and indoor cobwebs. Factors such as infant feeding practices, passive smoking, contact with pets, bed/pillow material, overcrowding, poor ventilation, dampness, absence of a separate kitchen, and smoke outlet showed no significant association. Logistic regression highlighted joint family, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, family history of asthma, and indoor cobwebs as significant factors. Conclusion: Bronchial asthma prevalence among 5–15-year-olds in Ettumanoor Panchayath is 10.1%. Significant risk factors include modifiable ones, such as indoor allergens and nonmodifiable ones such as atopic history, male gender, and living in joint family. Vigilant follow-up for asthma symptoms is recommended for atopic children, emphasizing the importance of proper indoor cleaning to reduce aeroallergens.