SCHOOL BOYS WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHMA IN AL-KHOBAR CITY, SAUDI ARABIA: ARE THEY AT INCREASED RISK OF SCHOOL ABSENTEEISM?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the mean period of school absenteeism (MPSA) among Questionnaire Diagnosed Asthmatic (QDA) Saudi schoolboys of Al-Khobar city and the factors associated with it. METHODS: The methodology of this cross-sectional study included the distribution of a self-administered questionnaire, which was completed by the parents of 1482 schoolboys who satisfied the selection criteria of the study. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of QDA was 9.5% (141/1482). MPSA among Questionnaire Diagnosed Asthmatic Boys (QDAs) was 13.6 ± 3.4 days compared to 3.7 ± 2.2 days among non-QDA boys (non-QDAs). Among QDAs, it was associated significantly and positively with those who were younger, with a decreasing level of socioeconomic class, history of pets at home, presence of a current smoker in the family (father or both parents), visit to a hospital emergency room, and admission to hospital. It was significantly and negatively associated with concomitant use of prophylactic medication(s), including those used appropriately. QDAs from middle and lower socioeconomic classes used less prophylactic medication(s) but had had more visits to an emergency room and had admissions to hospital. The multiple linear regression equation for the total period of school absenteeism (TPSA) during the current academic year was generated. CONCLUSIONS: QDAs have higher MPSA compared to their non-asthmatic classmates. The impact of this disease increases particularly among QDAs belonging to lower socioeconomic families.