Control of bronchial asthma in children and adolescents treated in health facilities in Chiclayo

Introduction: Asthma is a common problem in childhood and adolescence and is important its adequate control. Objectives: To estimate the level of asthma control in children and adolescents treated in health facilities. Methods: Census data of descriptive cross-sectional type study conducted in the city of Chiclayo, from July to December, 2013. There were included children from 5 to 18 years diagnosed with asthma. Patients were identified in the database of Lambayeque health network and underwent a home visit where they were invited to the study and it was applied the assessment instrument. Results: 203 patients were identified, and there were contacted and recruited 107 individuals. 89 (83.2%) children and 18 (16.8%) adolescents were included with a mean age of 7 (p25= 5/p75= 9) and 15 (p25= 15/p75= 17) years, respectively. According to the score of the assessment instrument: 52 (48.6%) were poorly controlled; 46 (43.0%) partially controlled; and 9 (8.4%), well-controlled. In the case of children, the frequency of “no control" was of 48.3%, "partially controlled" was 43.8% and "controlled” was 7.9%; and in the adolescents, it was 50.0, 38.9 and 11.1%, respectively. It was observed a significant relationship between the level of control and the educational level of the caregiver in children (p= 0.006) and adolescents (p= 0.005). Conclusions: It is demonstrated the high frequency of inadequate control of asthma, which contrasts with other similar realities where there is a greater frequency of control.