Achieving Control of Asthma in Children In Africa
Achieving Control of Asthma in Children In Africa
The main aim of the study is to identify altogether 3000 children aged between 12 and 16
 years old with asthma symptoms in six sub-Saharan African countries. The study furthermore
 aims to assess their asthma control, current treatment, knowledge of and attitudes to asthma,
 as well as the barriers to achieving good asthma control.
Asthma prevalence in young people has been rising in several African countries during the
 last decade, reaching between 10% and 20% in Central Africa, and up to 20% in South Africa.
 In addition, asthma related mortality in many African countries is high. South Africa has the
 third highest asthma related mortality rate in the world. Yet to date, a lack of asthma
 research and research infrastructure means that we do not have the evidence to either inform
 advocacy or to develop interventions that improve asthma outcomes.

 This study aims to collect data about asthma prevalence and to identify existing barriers to
 effective asthma management of young people in 6 sub-Saharan countries: Malawi, South Africa,
 Zimbabwe, Uganda, Ghana, and Nigeria. Each of these countries will identify 500 young people
 with asthma between 12 and 16 years of age through a screening questionnaire in schools.
 These 3000 young people with asthma symptoms will fill in a survey about asthma, including
 questions around asthma control, current treatment and access to care, asthma knowledge,
 asthma attitudes, smoking and environmental influences. Some of the participants will also
 discuss asthma related topics in focus groups. A subset of the participants will furthermore
 do Spirometry and FeNO testing. In addition to the data collection, the study will develop
 and test options for an intervention aimed at improving asthma control, including the
 adaption of a United Kingdom - based theater play about asthma awareness. The development of
 WiFi infrastructure and IT solutions will be promoted by the study, where appropriate.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  aged between a minimum of 12 years, and

 -  a maximum of 16 years

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Age less than 12 years

 -  age more than 16 years