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. 2019 Jun 14;6(2):74–77. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpam.2019.02.004

Table 1.

Studies that investigated the prevalence of asthma among children in various cities in Saudi Arabia [[13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24]].

Reference Study design Year City N Age (years) Method of assessment Conclusions
A Khawaji [13] Cross-sectional study (random sampling from schools) 2017 Jazan 1400 10–15 ISAAC Questionnaire
  • -

    The prevalence of life-long wheeze was 17.7%

  • -

    Prevalence rates of exercise-induced wheeze and wheeze during the last 12 months were 14.7% and 11.4%, respectively.

  • -

    Students with past medical history of asthma = 5.1%

  • -

    Asthma confirmed by a doctor in 10% of participants

  • -

    Life-long wheeze prevalence in rural area = 10.8%

  • -

    Life-long wheeze prevalence in urban area = 6.9%
S Imam [14] Cross-sectional study (random sampling from schools) 2016 Ahad Rubaida City, District Abha 200 15–18 Constructed questionnaire
  • -

    The cumulative prevalence of questionnaire-diagnosed asthma (QDA) in the total sample was 9.5%

  • -

    The highest prevalence of QDA (14%) was among school boys aged between 12 and 15 years but with no statistical significance

  • -

    The overall prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma was 8%
J Alqahtani [15] Cross-sectional study (random sampling from schools) 2014–2016 Najran 1700 7–19 Modification of the ISAAC questionnaire.
  • -

    The overall prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma was 27.5%

  • -

    Asthma prevalence among males was 32.3%

  • -

    Asthma prevalence among females was 22.7%
F Hamam [16] Cross-sectional (convenience sample from schools and two major hospitals) 2014 Taif 1700 <3 to 18 Pretested questionnaire
  • -

    The overall asthma prevalence rate was 13.4%

  • -

    Asthma prevalence among males was 12.4%

  • -

    Asthma prevalence among females was 14.4%

  • -

    Asthma prevalence in rural areas was 16.7%

  • -

    Asthma prevalence in urban areas was 12.4%
M Al Ghobain [17] Cross-sectional study (random sampling from schools) 2012 Riyadh 3073 16–18 ISAAC
  • -

    The overall prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma was 19.6%

  • -

    Asthma prevalence among males was 21.5%

  • -

    Asthma prevalence among females was 17.8%
M Nahhas [18] Cross-sectional (random sampling from schools) 2009 Madinah 5188 6–9 ISAAC questionnaire
  • -

    The overall prevalence of children with parental reports of ever having been diagnosed with asthma was 15.5%

  • -

    Asthma prevalence among males was 16.9%

  • -

    Asthma prevalence among females was 12.2%
S Alharthi [19] Retrospective study (random selection from one hospital) 2002–2006 Makkah 150 <5 Constructed questionnaire form using medical records
  • -

    The prevalence rate of asthma was 24%

  • -

    The study concluded that the prevalence of asthma among Saudi children increased every year in Makkah
A. Alfaryh [20] Cross-sectional study (random sampling from schools) 2002 Riyadh
Jeddah
Hofuf		 Total
 = 1678
Riyadh = 555
Jeddah = 574
Hofuf = 549		 7–15 Standardized questionnaire similar to ISAAC
  • -

    The cumulative prevalence rate for childhood asthma was 21.7%

  • -

    The prevalence of asthma in Hofuf was 33.7%

  • -

    The prevalence of asthma in Riyadh was 17.7%

  • -

    The prevalence of asthma in Jeddah was 14.1%

  • -

    The study concluded that the prevalence of childhood asthma exhibited a downward trend
K Al-Dawood [21] Cross-sectional (random sampling from schools) 2000 Alkhobar 1482 6–15 Constructed questionnaire
  • -

    The cumulative prevalence of questionnaire diagnosed asthma was 9.5%

  • -

    This study only comprised males
M. Alshehri [22] Cross-sectional study (random sampling from schools) 2000 Abha 4300 5–17 ISAAC questionnaire
  • -

    The prevalence of doctor-diagnosed asthma was 4%.

  • -

    The prevalence of wheeze in the past year was 9%

  • -

    The prevalence of exercise-induced wheezing was 4%

  • -

    Based on asthma-related symptoms, the overall prevalence of asthma was estimated as 9%
N Hijazi [23] Cross-sectional study (stratified sampling from schools) 1997 Jeddah and surrounding villages 1444 12 ISAAC questionnaire
  • -

    The overall prevalence of asthma was 12.1%

  • -

    The prevalence rate of asthma among urban children was 14.9%

  • -

    The prevalence rate of asthma among rural children was 5.4%
A Alfaryh [24] Comparative study (random sampling from schools) 1986–1995 Riyadh vs Hail
Jeddah vs Gizan		 Riyadh = 
1986
Hail = 
1008
Jeddah = 2123
Gizan = 
1995		 8–16 Standardized questionnaire similar to ISAAC
  • -

    The prevalence of asthma in Jeddah and Riyadh during 1986 was 8%

  • -

    The prevalence of asthma in Hail and Gizan during 1995 was 23%

  • -

    It was concluded that the prevalence of asthma increased in the study period