In a 15-year study on the
prevalence of asthma in Nigeria, Musa and Aliyu (2014) found the prevalence of asthma
to be 10.2%, with a higher prevalence occurring among adolescent and adult. The
sex differences in prevalence (28% in males vs. 24% in females), reflect the
innate genetic inter-gender diversity usually seen in asthma. Generally, asthma
is reported to be more common in females. Some studies have shown it to be more common in pre-pubertal males
(Rahimi, Hejazi & Behrouzian, 2007). Another study revealed a prevalence of
5.1% among children between 6 and 7 years of age. Comparing their findings with
that of Musa and Aliyu (2014) it would appear that the prevalence is higher in
adolescent and adults.
prevalence of asthma in Nigeria, Musa and Aliyu (2014) found the prevalence of asthma
to be 10.2%, with a higher prevalence occurring among adolescent and adult. The
sex differences in prevalence (28% in males vs. 24% in females), reflect the
innate genetic inter-gender diversity usually seen in asthma. Generally, asthma
is reported to be more common in females. Some studies have shown it to be more common in pre-pubertal males
(Rahimi, Hejazi & Behrouzian, 2007). Another study revealed a prevalence of
5.1% among children between 6 and 7 years of age. Comparing their findings with
that of Musa and Aliyu (2014) it would appear that the prevalence is higher in
adolescent and adults.
The WHO survey on global
prevalence of asthma revealed that prevalence of clinical asthma in Africa was
reported as 4.19%; ranging from 2% in Ethiopia to 8.74% in Swaziland. The value
from our study is higher than the highest value reported for doctor-diagnosed
asthma for other African countries. Overall, the result of our systematic
review shows no reduction in the global trend of asthma in adults and children;
a trend that is similarly observed in Africa and Nigeria (Falade, Olawuji &
Osinusi, 2014).
prevalence of asthma revealed that prevalence of clinical asthma in Africa was
reported as 4.19%; ranging from 2% in Ethiopia to 8.74% in Swaziland. The value
from our study is higher than the highest value reported for doctor-diagnosed
asthma for other African countries. Overall, the result of our systematic
review shows no reduction in the global trend of asthma in adults and children;
a trend that is similarly observed in Africa and Nigeria (Falade, Olawuji &
Osinusi, 2014).
Asthma is likely to increase with
increasing rural to urban migration, increasing urbanisation, and rapid
lifestyle and dietary changes. Occupation-related asthma could also play a
role, due to increased exposure to industrial fumes driven by the heightened
quest for industrialization (Cruz, Bateman & Bousquet, 2010).
increasing rural to urban migration, increasing urbanisation, and rapid
lifestyle and dietary changes. Occupation-related asthma could also play a
role, due to increased exposure to industrial fumes driven by the heightened
quest for industrialization (Cruz, Bateman & Bousquet, 2010).
