194 KJMS July-December, 2013, Vol. 6, No. 2 INTRODUCTION Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease affecting adults and children of all ages. In half of the cases the onset is before ten years of age1. If not adequately controlled asthma can cause c

ABSTRACT
Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease, affecting adults and children of all ages.
Objective: Objective of this study was to assess the socio-cultural aspect of asthma patients visiting NIH allergy center
Islamabad.
Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in NIH allergy center Islamabad from 1th March to 30th August
2010. It included 800 Patients. They were selected by convenience sampling techniques. Socio-cultural variables were
recorded on a pre designed questionnaire performa.
Result: Out of 800 patient 47.5% were females and 53.5 were males. 72.2% were housewives, and 22.7% males belonging
to office job group from both rural and urban areas. 67.5% patients mean income was Rs 5000/pm and 11.25%
mean income Rs 15000/pm. 52.40% had some knowledge about asthma and 28.75% had no knowledge.77.5% had
good understanding of asthma symptoms. 95% were doctor diagnosed cases. In 71.25% daily life activities were affected
by asthma. 61.25% had problem with more than four environmental factors triggers. Dust, perfume, cigarette
smoke, automobile smoke, weather change, thresher dust and pollen were the main factors in most patients. 61.25%
had mean expenditure of Rs 500/ per month. 89.45% females had no problem in taking treatment from male doctor
and in 65% patients had communication gap.
Conclusion: This study revealed that low socioeconomic status, educational level, presence of asthma triggering
agents, less disease knowledge, and lack of effective communication between doctor and patient are some of the
factors affecting the quality of life of asthma patients.
Key Words: Bronchial Asthma, socio-cultural aspect, health related quality of life, asthma triggering agents