Characteristics of School-aged Children with Asthma Exacerbation who Seek Treatments from Lady Ridgway Hospital, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes reversible narrowing and constriction of the airways due to various stimuli. Asthma exacerbation is a sudden worsening of asthma symptoms. Identification of the characteristics of school-aged children with asthma exacerbations are key to early detection, preventing complications, and enhancing overall quality of life for children with asthma. Objective: To determine characteristics of school-aged children with asthma exacerbation who seek treatments from Lady Ridgway Hospital, Sri Lanka Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among conveniently selected 173 school-aged children (5 to 13 years) who seek treatment for asthma exacerbation from general pediatric ward, Lady Ridgway Hospital, Sri Lanka. Data were collected from parents of selected children using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The diagnosis of asthma in children was made by the pediatrician in the ward. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, and percentage were used for data analysis using SPSS version 25.0. Results: Nearly half of the children (51%, n=89), were males and 76% (n=132) of them, belong to early school age group (5-8 years). Majority lived in urban areas (64%, n=110). Of the participants, 70% (n=121) were currently not using inhalers and 60% (n=103) had a history of previous hospital admissions due to asthma attack. Thiry eight children (29%) reported a family history of asthma and 79% of them had asthmatic fathers. About 75% (n=130) had pets at home. Moreover, 69% (n=120) did not attend follow-up clinics. Conclusions: The study findings highlight a predominantly early school-aged urban population with asthma, where a significant proportion do not use inhalers despite previous hospital admissions. Family history of asthma and pet ownership were common, while a significant portion did not attend follow-up clinics, suggesting gaps in asthma management.