OBJECTIVES : The current study was planned to investigate the prevalence of asthma and allergic problems in people of Balochistan, Pakistan

METHODS : To determine the prevalence of allergic problems in the area of Balochistan. The current study was conducted in the tribal groups of (Pashtoon, Baloch) in all socioeconomic classes. We have no data regarding it for any tribal group and class. We used a Saudi Arabian Protocol utilizing questionnaires for an adult male and female in this region. Questionnaires were distributed to 1000 people, age 18-60 years, in three various areas for suitable proportional illustration of low, middle, and high socioeconomic levels. There are 553 (55.3%) questionnaires returned by the people were observed suitable and thus incorporated in the survey. The SPSS software was used for data analysis

RESULTS

: The data analysis showed that the allergic problems are relatively high in Balochistan, Pakistan. The occurrence of wheezing was observed to be 17.0%, whereas the diagnosed individuals with asthma were 8.0%. Observed cases of allergic rhinitis were 35.0%. The rate of those having as well as wheezing as well as allergic rhinitis episodes were 10.0%. No sex wise statistically significant dissimilarity observed between non-asthmatics and asthmatics (P-value: 0.300). Socioeconomic condition was observed to affect significantly (p value; 0.002). In case of the prevalence of diagnosed asthma individual was 3.0% in the lower socioeconomic group, 15.10% in the middle-group and 8.01% in the highest socioeconomic group.

CONCLUSIONS

: Asthmatic problems are relatively widespread in Balochistan, Pakistan, but they linger on under-diagnosed. The prevalence information of rhinitis indicates an alarming condition. These clinical problems were observed to affect middle-class in the majority, while the lower and lower-middle group leftovers the less affected. So far to diagnosis, prevention, education and management may assist the province, to eradicate the disease.