Exploring the awareness of asthma in the context of socio-economic disparities: a case study of Karachi - Pakistan

Although the host factors and the physical environment are known to be associated with high rates of asthma prevalence in urban settings, but the connection between asthma and level of awareness due to socio-economic conditions are still less explored. Especially in developing world where the contrast between rich and poor is humongous, available health facilities are overburdened, and literacy is still a question mark for learning and acquiring knowledge to boost the awareness about health issues. This paper aims to address gaps in scientific knowledge about the societal attitude towards environmental asthma-related risk in a megacity of a developing country. Data was collected with a 0.1% sample of households (n=1388) through a questionnaire from selected neighborhoods. Awareness about asthma diagnosis, treatment, emergency management and prevention were assessed through a 10-point Likert scale. Data was summarized for the assessment of collective knowledge. Correlation of cumulative awareness was calculated with asthma prevalence and socio-economic conditions. We found very low (4.5 out of 10) cumulative asthma awareness with 8% prevalence. Literacy stood out at the top having a strong relationship with cumulative asthma awareness. We found that a low level of literacy provokes more involvement in unhealthy occupation and careless behavior about asthma triggers. As a result, asthma prevalence is higher in people associated with unhealthy occupation and have a low level of awareness without proper health and safety measures. Findings has established the impact of socio-economic status on asthma awareness in two towns of Karachi. Though socioeconomic development of an area is a long journey, especially in developing countries, awareness programs can, however, make better public health in a short time. This strategy will also reduce the level of Covid-19 severity as asthma is considered one of the risk factors.