Achieving Control of Asthma in Children In Africa (ACACIA)

Queen Mary University of London

Status: Completed

Conditions: Asthma

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03990402

269211

Details and patient eligibility

About

The main aim of the study is to identify altogether 3000 children aged between 12 and 16 years old with asthma symptoms in six sub-Saharan African countries. The study furthermore aims to assess their asthma control, current treatment, knowledge of and attitudes to asthma, as well as the barriers to achieving good asthma control.

Full description

Asthma prevalence in young people has been rising in several African countries during the last decade, reaching between 10% and 20% in Central Africa, and up to 20% in South Africa. In addition, asthma related mortality in many African countries is high. South Africa has the third highest asthma related mortality rate in the world. Yet to date, a lack of asthma research and research infrastructure means that we do not have the evidence to either inform advocacy or to develop interventions that improve asthma outcomes.

This study aims to collect data about asthma prevalence and to identify existing barriers to effective asthma management of young people in 6 sub-Saharan countries: Malawi, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Ghana, and Nigeria. Each of these countries identifies 500 young people with asthma between 12 and 16 years of age through a screening questionnaire in schools. These 3000 young people with asthma symptoms fill in a survey about asthma, including questions around asthma control, current treatment and access to care, asthma knowledge, asthma attitudes, smoking and environmental influences. Some of the participants also discuss asthma related topics in focus groups. A subset of the participants furthermore do Spirometry and FeNO testing. In addition to the data collection, the study develops and tests options for an intervention aimed at improving asthma control, including the adaption of a United Kingdom - based theater play about asthma awareness. The development of WiFi infrastructure and IT solutions is promoted by the study, where appropriate.

Enrollment: 3,767 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 12 to 14 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• aged between a minimum of 12 years, and
• a maximum of 14 years

Exclusion criteria

• Age less than 12 years
• age more than 14 years

Trial design

3,767 participants in 6 patient groups

Malawi group

Description:

500 young people with asthma symptoms in Malawi

South Africa group

Description:

500 young people with asthma symptoms in South Africa

Uganda group

Description:

500 young people with asthma symptoms in Uganda

Nigeria

Description:

500 young people with asthma symptoms in Nigeria

Zimbabwe group

Description:

500 young people with asthma symptoms in Zimbabwe

Ghana group

Description:

500 young people with asthma symptoms in Ghana