Prevalence of asthma and respiratory symptoms during pregnancy in the middle belt of Nigeria.
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Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Group`123456789]\-563z
Abstract
Background: Information about the burden of asthma during pregnancy in Africa is scarce.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of asthma and respiratory symptoms in pregnancy
in Ilorin, Nigeria.
Methods: This study uses the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS)
questionnaire and definitions to screen 870 pregnant women attending three hospitals
for asthma.
Results: The prevalence of possible asthma (i.e. awakened by shortness of breath, asthma
attack(s) in the last 12 months, or currently taking asthma medication) was 2.1% (95% CI:
1.3–3.1%), physician-diagnosed asthma was 1.0% (95% CI: 0.5–1.7%), and current asthma
(asthma attack in the last 12 months and currently taking asthma medication) was 0.7%
(95% CI: 0.2–1.3%). The prevalence of respiratory symptoms ranged from 0.6% (95% CI:
0.1–1.1%) for wheezing without cold to 12.9% (95% CI: 10.7–15.2%) for nasal allergies. Less
than 1% reported an asthma attack and using asthma medication in the last 12 months.
None of the pregnant women smoked tobacco during pregnancy. Pregnant women with
possible asthma experienced more respiratory symptoms and worsening symptoms than
those without asthma (15.8% vs. 3.9%), and the most reported symptom was being awakened
by shortness of breath. The majority (55.6%) with physician-diagnosed asthma had suffered
an asthma attack in the current pregnancy with a median of two attacks.
Conclusion: The prevalence of asthma and respiratory symptoms in pregnancy in this sample
was low, but we observed an increase and worsening of respiratory symptoms during
pregnancy in those with asthma. Hence, the priority of clinicians should be disease control
to prevent feto-maternal morbidity and mortality.
Description
Keywords
Asthma, Africa, pregnancy, respiratory symptoms, wheezing, asthma attack, asthma medication
Citation
Desalu O.O, Adesina K.T, Ojuawo O.B, Ogunlaja I.P, Alaofin W.A, Aladesanmi A.O, Opeyemi O.M, OguntoyeM.S,Salami A.K.(2019): Prevalence of asthma and respiratory symptoms during pregnancy in the middle belt of Nigeria. Journal of Asthma, Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group`123456789]\-563z