Prevalence and determinants of asthma in adults in Kinshasa

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data on asthma among adults in sub-Saharan Africa are sparse. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of and factors associated with asthma among adults in Kinshasa. METHODS: A previously validated asthma questionnaire was administered to an adult population aged ≥18 years in urban and peri-urban suburbs of Kinshasa. A random stratified multi-stage sampling plan was used to select the study participants. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with asthma. RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 36.7 (SD 15.36) years, 75% lived in an urban environment, and 57% were women. The prevalence of asthma-ever was 6.9% (95% CI: 5.4–8.4). Among asthmatic patients, intermittent asthma was estimated at 75.7% and severe asthma at 9.3%. Family atopy (OR: 3.97; 95% CI: 2.42–6.50; p<0.001), and the presence of a cat in the house (OR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.01–3.28; p = 0.045) were associated with self-reported asthma. CONCLUSION: Asthma is relatively frequent in adults in Kinshasa, a prevalence similar to those reported elsewhere in Africa. Family atopy and the presence of a cat in the house could be the most common determinants to be confirmed with national survey in order to design guidelines for the control of asthma.