• Margarete L T Arrais, Tiago J P Maricoto, Ofélia M Lulua, Francisca G S Quifica, Jorge M R Gama, Miguel D Brito, and Luis Taborda-Barata.
• Department of Pulmonology, Military Hospital Luanda, Angola.
• Afr Health Sci. 2023 Sep 1; 23 (3): 672682672-682.

BackgroundAsthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases and one of the most frequent causes of hospital care.ObjectivesTo describe the clinical characteristics of asthma and factors associated with its control.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at the Military Hospital in Luanda, from April 2018 to March 2019. Data collection was performed using questionnaires on asthma symptoms and treatment, socio-demographic and environmental questions, and a Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) questionnaire to assess the level of asthma control. Ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed. We estimated odds ratios, for higher categories of asthma control. P<0.05 was considered significant.ResultsThe sample consisted of 305 asthmatics ≥18-years-old, 56% women, with a mean age of 41.3 years. About 28% of patients had controlled asthma, 36% partially controlled and 35% uncontrolled. Poor asthma control was associated with frequent use of short-acting beta-2 agonists [OR 5.70 (95%CI 2.37;13.7)], oral corticosteroids [OR 3.68 (95%CI 2.24;6.04)], and incorrect inhaler technique [OR 4.08 (95%CI 1.25;13.3)].ConclusionsA significant number of adults living in Luanda have uncontrolled asthma due to the under-use of inhaled corticosteroid therapy. It is necessary to develop strategic management and prevention plans to improve Angolan asthmatics' medical care.© 2023 Arrais MLT et al.

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