Amir M. Al Hroob, Hani Nawafleh, Khalil I Altaif and Shaher Elfaqir
Background: The prevalence of asthma is increasing in both western and developing countries. Few studies evaluated asthma prevalence in Jordan and especially in south of Jordan.
Objectives: to determine the prevalence of asthma among the population of Ma’an Governorate.
Method: A retrospective analysis of 6883 physician diagnosed asthma persons of different ages and gender who had been referred to Ma’an Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease Centre for treatment and were subjected to full clinical examination during the last five years, reviewed and the incidence were determined.
Results: The total number of patients in this retrospective study was 6883. Among this number 2862 (41.6 %) adult male and 2881 (41.9 %) adult female, 769 (11.2 %) children male and 371 (5. 4 %) children female. The results showed that the prevalence of asthma is higher in adult male and female than that in both male and female children (p<0.05). Also there is no significant difference between adult male and adult female, while there is a significant difference between male children and female children (p<0.05). The highest prevalence of asthma was in May and December of each year while the lowest level was in August.
Conclusion: Bronchial asthma is a signifcant health problem among children and adults in Ma’an province.
