PREVALENCE OF BRONCHIAL ASTHMA AMONG CHILDREN IN TAMILNADU

Background: Bronchial asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic respiratory disorders in children worldwide. Characterized by recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessnessand coughing, asthma significantly affects the quality of life of children and poses a considerable burden on families and healthcare systems.Aims & Objectives:To assess the prevalence of bronchial asthma among children in Tamil Nadu.

Methodology: A quantitative research approach was adopted. The researcher adopted a descriptive cross-sectional study.Selected urban and rural districts of Tamil Nadu. Children aged6-11 years who were fulfilling the inclusion criteria were the sample for the quantitative study. 1200 children with bronchial asthma residing in rural and urban areas who were fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included for this study. Multi-stage random sampling technique was adopted.Written informed consent was obtained from the parent and assent obtained from children with bronchial asthma.Results:The level of severity of asthma score among children that majority of 67 % had moderate level of asthma and 33 % of them are had mild level of asthma in rural areas. In urbanareas, 72 % had moderate level of asthma and 28 % of them are had mild level of asthma. There is a significant difference between urban and rural areas.

Conclusion: Bronchial asthma among children in Tamil Nadu remains a significant concern, especially in urban regions. Environmental exposures and genetic predisposition contribute notably to the disease burdenStrengtheningcommunity-based screening and parental education should be vital in controlling the rise of childhood asthma.