Background
Acute asthma attack is one of the most common causes of emergency visiting to health facilities in all age groups and accounts for the greater part of healthcare burden. It is also an important public health problem that affects not only the patients, but also the family, health professionals, health care institutions and development of the nation. There is limited information regarding to acute asthma in public hospitals of Addis Ababa. Thus, the aim the current study is aimed to assess acute asthmatic attack in Addis Ababa public hospital.
Objective
To assess the magnitude and associated factors of acute asthmatic attack among patients at emergency centers in Addis Ababa public hospitals, Ethiopia, 2023
Methods
An institutional based cross-sectional study design will be employed among 147 participants in selected public hospitals of Addis Ababa. Systematic random method was employed to select study participants. The data was collected in face-to-face interview by five trained data collectors. The data was processed and analyzed by using SPSS version 26.0 software packages for analysis. The result was be presented by using texts, tables and graphs. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression with 95% confidence interval was employed to compute crude and adjusted odd ratio and interpret accordingly. Variables with p-value < 0.05 declared as significant factors to acute asthma attack.
Result
Thirty six (24.5%) had developed acute asthma attack. Predictors such as ever smoking cigarettes (AOR = 2.19, 95%CI: 1.10–5.47), allergic rhinitis (AOR = 3.11, 95% CI: 1.15–7.86) and gastric reflux disorders were (AOR = 4.26, 95% CI: 1.75–10.41) showed significant association with acute asthma attack.
Conclusion and recommendation
The study indicates that the prevalence of acute asthma attack was high. Predictors such as ever smoking cigarettes, allergic rhinitis and history of having gastro reflux disease were showed significant association with acute asthma attack.