Factors Associated with Poor Asthma Control among Sudanese Patients Attending Atbara Teaching Hospital in Sudan

Abstract

Objective: To identify factors associated with poor bronchial asthma control in patients attending Atbara Teaching Hospital, Sudan, in 2020.
Methods: This was an analytical, descriptive, cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted at the Atbara Teaching Hospital in River Nile  State, Sudan, between February and June 2020. All patients diagnosed with bronchial asthma who were attending any hospital  department were included.
Results: In total, 292 patients were enrolled, 51.4% were aged 18–45 years and 51.4% were female. The most frequent complaints were an  audible wheeze and shortness of breath (approximately 93%), and 49% had been diagnosed with asthma >10 years previously. Of the patients, 42% were admitted 1 to 3 times and 47.3% were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Hospital admission was associated  with improper inhaler use (P = 0.003), the presence of triggers at home or work (P = 0.003), and passive smoking (P = 0.016). ICU  admission was associated with female sex (P = 0.039) and the presence of triggers at home or work (P = 0.026).
Conclusion: Asthma is a major problem in Atbara City. Improper inhaler use, the presence of triggers at home or work, and passive  smoking were significantly associated with hospital admission. Female sex and the presence of triggers at home or work were  significantly associated with ICU admission.