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Asthma prevalence, morbidity and management practices in South Australia, 1992–1995
Author(s) -
Adams R.,
Ruffi R.,
Wakefield M.,
Campbell D.,
Smith B.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 0004-8291
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-5994.1997.tb00997.x
Subject(s) - medicine , asthma , asthma management , environmental health , intensive care medicine , family medicine
Background: The Spring South Australian Health Omnibus Survey (SSAHOS) has been used to monitor trends in asthma prevalence, asthma morbidity and asthma management practices between 1992 and 1995. Aims: To determine if self‐reported asthma prevalence and availability of asthma action plans were increasing. To identify deficiencies in asthma management and opportunities for intervention. Methods: Representative population survey by trained interviewers using a multistage, systematic, clustered area sample of 4200 households in South Australia where people aged 15 years or more are living. Results: Over 3000 interviews were conducted each year. Between 1992 and 1995 the self‐reported prevalence of asthma in those aged 15 years or more increased significantly from 15.7% to 20.3% (p<0.0005), and the prevalence of current asthma increased from 9.3% to 11.4% (p<0.05). The self‐reported availability of individual asthma action plans increased from 21.9% in 1992 to 42.2% in 1995 p<0.0005). In 1992, 21% had a nebuliser at home, and 10.5% had a peak flow meter. In 1993, 61.4% were using preventive medications, and 35% thought bronchodilators were ‘;preventer’ medications. In 1994 and 1995, between 12.5% and 15.6% had nocturnal awakening weekly or more often, and 31.4% had morning asthma symptoms weekly or more often. Between 20.1% and 20.8% had lost days from usual activities during the last year. Those on incomes below $20,000 had more symptoms, had more admissions to hospital, and required more medication than those on higher incomes. Conclusions: Self‐reported asthma prevalence has increased. There remains a gap between current asthma management and that recommended by the National Asthma Campaign.