::: Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal :::

Objective: To explore various risk factors associated with childhood asthma in Rawalpindi garrison and city among children 1-12 years old. Study Design: Case Control study Place and Duration of study: Pediatric departments of Military Hospital (MH) and Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Rawalpindi from 1st Aug to 30th Nov 2009. Patients and Methods: A total of 128 children with diagnosis of asthma presenting in outpatient and indoor pediatric departments of MH and CMH Rawalpindi between ages of 1-12 years were included. Age, gender and socioeconomically matched 112 children without diagnosis of asthma were included as controls. A predesigned questionnaire containing various factors associated with childhood asthma was filled by the researcher by detailed interview with either of parents.. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 15 and chi-square test was applied to determine significance. p v alue < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 15 risk factors studied 8 were found significantly associated with childhood asthma. Significant factors were education of any of the parents more than matric, history of fever at least three times in last year, use of antibiotics, history of hay fever, raised IgE levels, exposure to passive smoking, living in urban areas and family history of asthma(p value<0.005). Non significant factors were mode of delivery, exclusive breast feeding for more than 3 months, partial breastfeeding for more than 6 months, history of eczema, atopy, history of viral respiratory infections in infancy and less than three number of rooms at home. Male preponderance was noted amongst cases. Conclusion: Education of parents, fever, antibiotics, hay fever, raised IgE levels, exposure to passive smoking, living in urban areas and family history of asthma proved to be significant factors which are similar to those reported in other studies. However, difference was found in other factors. Recognition of these factors can help to optimize management of asthma in children in this area.