Determination of Physical Problems for Adult Patients with Asthma

Background: Asthma is considered as a major public health problem in many countries. It is one of the most common chronic disease affecting both adults and children. According to world health organization there are at least 300 million people suffer from asthma worldwide and more than 180,000 people die from it each year. Therefore, the study aims to determine physical problems for adult patients with asthma and to find out the relationship between physical problems with demographic characteristics. Materials and methods: - A descriptive study was carried out in Baghdad teaching hospital and Al- Yarmook teaching hospital for the period of 1\12\2011 to 2\5\2012. A purposive (non probability) sample of (50) patients. Questionnaire was constructed for the purpose of the study. Data were collected through the application of the questionnaire and interview technique. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistical approach (frequency and percentage) and inferential statistical approach (Pearson correlation and mean of score) by using of SPSS 16.0. Results: The study results indicated that the range of age was between (40-49) year and most of them were male, married and employed in government officer, read and write they live in rural, barely sufficient of monthly income. There is high physical problems such as cough, wheezing, dyspnea, tachycardia and weight loss. Conclusions:- There is no relationship between physical problems with marital status educational level. There is moderate relationship between the remaining variables this mean that physical problems are present with all variables. Recommendation:-The study recommended that educational programs should be constructed or designed for patients toward health care awareness for patients with asthma. Patients with asthma should undergo tests to identify the substances that precipitate the physical problems. Patients are instructed to avoid the causative agents wherever possible. Keywords:- physical problems, asthma