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Increase in childhood asthma admissions in an urbanising population

U E MacIntyre1, F P de Villiers, J W Owange-Iraka

  • 1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Medical University of Southern Africa, PO Box 168, Medunsa, 0204.

South African Medical Journal = Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Geneeskunde
|October 5, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Childhood asthma admissions in South Africa significantly increased by 2.5 times between 1986 and 1996, particularly in young children from urban areas. This highlights the need for community-level asthma prevention programs.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Environmental Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Rapid urbanization in South Africa is linked to increased childhood asthma risks.
  • Understanding asthma admission patterns is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the pattern of childhood asthma admissions at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital, South Africa.
  • To analyze trends in asthma admissions from 1986 to 1996.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of inpatient admission data from 1986 to 1996.
  • Detailed analysis of asthma patient records from 1992 to 1996.
  • Inclusion of outpatient data review from 1992 onwards.

Main Results:

  • Asthma admissions increased 2.5-fold from 1986 to 1996.
  • The 1-47-month age group showed the largest increase in admissions.
  • Urban populations and summer season correlated with higher admission rates; male to female ratio was 1.5:1.

Conclusions:

  • A significant rise in pediatric asthma admissions occurred over a decade.
  • Environmental changes associated with urbanization may contribute to increased asthma.
  • There is an urgent need for community and national asthma prevention strategies.
Abstract

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