CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This chapter contains the background of the study, statement of the problem, objectives of the
study, research questions, significance of the study, limitations of the study and the scope of
the study.

1.1 Background of the Study

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease which causes attacks of wheezing, shortness of
breath, chest tightness and coughing. From 1980 through 1996, the number of asthma patients
has doubled to almost 13 million.

Asthmatic people are at a greater risk of asthma attack from a variety of risk factors. Research
has shown that a number of risks for the asthmatic begins with the behavior of the mother to
the toxins in the atmosphere i.e. maternal smoking can have harmful pulmonary effects lasting
till the child teenage years (Baccarelli & Kaufman, 2011).

1.2 Problem Statement.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease which has affected people over the years and is still a
major challenge for people living with it.

Each dacade the prevalence of asthma increases by 50%. The economic cost of asthma are
estimated to precede those of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS combined.

Asthma accounts for many deaths of residents of Malindi if not well managed. Many of these
deaths can be prevented by long term medical care and knowing how to manage it in case of an
attack.

1.3 Justification.

People living around areas that are air polluted are at a high risk of getting asthma attacks.
Finding ways to determine the risk factors for asthma that are closely associated with the
diagnosis of asthma in a healthcare facility is very important.

Finding out how and why asthma develops in people suffering from asthma. The study will also
collect information about how immune responses triggered in the lungs by respiratory
infections and allergens that interact to bring about asthma.

1.4 Objectives.

1.4.1 General Objective

To examine the predisposing factors of asthma attacks among patients attending Malindi
General Hospital.
1.4.2 Specific Objectives

To identify the appropriate control measures of asthma attacks.

To determine the relationship between asthma attacks and the allergens.

To find out the different practices undertaken to curb asthma attacks.

1.5 Research Questions.

1. What are the appropriate control measures of asthma attacks?

2. What is the relationship between asthma attacks and the allergens?

3. What are some of the practices undertaken to curb asthma attacks?

1.6 Significance of the Study.

This study is expected to improve the quality of everyday life for those diagnosed with asthma.
It will also study genes and their role in controlling the immune response.

The study of asthma is also expected to help people understand the relationship between
asthma attacks and their allergens and also help to identify the most effective methods of
treating asthma patients in Malindi General Hospital.

This study is also expected to help in understanding how the disease is caused, how it develops
and how best it can be maintained.

1.7 Limitations and Delimitations.

Some respondents do not feel free to answer the questions asked and some tend to shy off
meanwhile withholding important information needed for the study.

1.8 Hypothesis.

1.8.1 Null hypothesis: Asthma attack is insignificant to patients attending Malindi General
Hospital.

1.8.2 Alternative hypothesis: Asthma attack is significant to patients attending Malindi General
Hospital.