Sociodemographic and Socioeconomic Factors as Determinants for the Health Related Quality of Life of Asthmatic Children and Adolescents

Abstract Background: Asthma is the most prevalent childhood chronic disease worldwide. Although health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in asthmatic children is known to be affected by the disease severity, sociodemographic factors and socio-economic status (SES) may also play a role. Aim of Study: To study the effect of sociodemographic and economic factors on HRQoL in asthmatic children and adolescents. Patients and Methods: This was a cross sectional study during which 370 asthmatic child/adolescent and their parents were interviewed at Chest and allergy clinic and were asked to fill El-Gilany socio-economic status (SES) scale and the arabic version of Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Question-naire (PAQLQ) then the individual and the total scores were calculated. Results: 79.5% of the participants were children less than 12 years old, 61.9% were females, 73.5% lived in rural areas, and 89.7% were of low socioeconomic class. Regarding the sociodemographic factors, there was statistical significance between the total score of Pediatric asthma quality of life questionnaire (PAQLQ) and the patient's age, residence, parents' education & occupation (p-value <0.001). Regarding the SES, there was statistical significance between PAQLQ score and the family income and the total SES sore (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Socio demographic and economic status can be considered independent determinants of HRQoL in asth-matic children and adolescents.