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Prevalence of asthma at a school-based health clinic in Nicaragua
Nancy Cantey Banasiak1, Mikki Meadows-Oliver2
1School of Nursing, Yale University, West Haven, Connecticut.
Background:
Worldwide, it is estimated that 235-334 million people have been diagnosed with asthma. In Nicaragua, the current asthma rate for children 13-14 years of age was 15.2%.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of asthma at this school-based health clinic in Managua, Nicaragua, associated symptoms or diseases, determine asthma classification, medications, and hospitalization rates.
Methods:
A retrospective chart review was performed on all pediatric patient's medical records seen in the clinic during a 5-day period (n = 105).
Results:
A total of 23 patients (21.9%) had asthma documented in the medical chart and were included in the analysis. Of the 23 patients, 3 (13%) patients were classified with intermittent asthma while the rest of the patients (87%) were not classified. Albuterol was prescribed for 19 (86%) of the patients with two patients who had both albuterol and QVAR® prescribed. Six (26%) patients had a family history of asthma.
Discussion:
This study demonstrated the prevalence of asthma in school-aged children in Nicaragua is significant and higher than previously reported. The lack of a classification of asthma prevents patients from potentially being treated appropriately.
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