Prevalence of exercise induced bronchospan in urban school children in Lusaka, Zambia.

Abstract

Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm (EIB) is a condition in which vigorous physical activity triggers acute airway narrowing in individuals with increased airway hyper-responsiveness. It is a common condition in children and young adults, probably because of a high level of physical activity and also common among Asthmatic patients were up to 90% of them have EIB. EIB is characterized by Shortness of breath, decreased exercise endurance, chest pain or tightness, cough, or wheezing during or immediately following sustained exercise. However, this condition is preventable and treatable. Quiet often, it is a condition that goes unnoticed by patients, parents and guardians, physical education instructors and primary health care workers. The main objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of EIB in school children aged 10 – 14 years in Lusaka Urban, Zambia. The minor objective was to determine the risk factors associated with EIB and to make recommendations to patients, parents/guardians, Physical Education instructors and Primary Health Care providers on how to manage this condition.