Prevalence of asthma, level of control and factors associated with asthma control in Thai elementary school students in Bangkok.

BACKGROUND Little is known about the level of asthma control in Thai elementary school students living in the inner city of Bangkok. Our study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of asthma, level of asthma control and factors associated with asthma control in Thai students. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study in students aged between 6-12 years at 3 public schools and 3 private schools in Bangkok. The parent-completed questionnaire used to assess the prevalence of asthma and asthma symptoms was translated from the Phase I ISAAC (The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) questionnaire. Univariate analysis was used to identify possible risk factors related to partly and uncontrolled asthma. RESULTS A population of 1,428 students was recruited by screening questionnaires (66.1% of response rate). The mean age was 9.5 years. Prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma was 9% and the most common asthma symptom was night cough (23.8%). The level of asthma control was assessed in students with current asthma and classified as controlled (46.7%), partly controlled (43.3%) and uncontrolled (10%). Around 27% of students with current asthma in this study use controller medications. Factors associated with asthma control were analyzed but none approached significance. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of asthma in elementary school students living in Bangkok has decreased since the previous survey and the use of controller medications has increased. Asthma management strategies should focus on encouraging awareness among physicians and parents about the importance of using controller medications to achieve better control of asthma.