Browsing by Author "Molen, Thys van der"

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    Characterization of Asthma and Its Determinants in Ethiopia: Part of the African Severe Asthma Project (ASAP)
    (Ethiopian Medical Journal, 2021) Bekel, Amsalu; Haile, Tewodros; Mekekasha, Amha; Fuad, Oumer; Muttamba, Winters; Mugenyi, Levi; Katagira, Wincey; Nyale, George; Lugogo, Njira; Worodria, William; Aanyu, Hellen T.; Joloba, Moses; Jong, Corina de; Makumbi, Fred; Molen, Thys van der; Chakaya, Jeremiah; Kirenga, Bruce J; Yimer, Getenet
    Asthma is a major public health problem globally affecting 339 million people with 300,000 annual death. African Severe Asthma Program was a multi-country prospective cohort study designed to characterize severe asthma in three African countries, Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya. In this study, we describe the baseline characteristics and disease severity among asthmatics enrolled in the Ethiopia site of African Severe Asthma Program. Asthmatics seen at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital from August 2016 to May 2018 were studied. Asthma was diagnosed based on symptoms and spirometry. Baseline demographic and clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Standardized research tools were used to assess asthma severity, asthma control and asthma quality of life. A total of 419 asthmatic patients were enrolled in the study; the mean age for the group was 52 ± 8 years and 58.2 % were female. The majority of the participants, 365 (87.2%), had a prior diagnosis of asthma with a median (IQR) age at first diagnosis of 29 (IQR: 22 - 36) years. A family history of asthma was present in 149 (35.6%) subjects. Current or previous cigarette smoking was reported in 8.6% of the participants. Overall, 93.8% of the participants reported uncontrolled asthma symptoms (ACQ >1.5). More than half of the patients, had severe persistent asthma and 35% presented with one or more comorbidities. Conclusions: In Ethiopia, asthmatics presenting to a tertiary care hospital were characterized as predominantly female with late onset disease, poor control, and associated comorbidities. Key Words: Asthma, Characteristics, determinants and Severe
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    The State of Ambient Air Quality in Two Ugandan Cities: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Spatial Assessment
    (International journal of environmental research and public health, 2015) Kirenga, Bruce J.; Meng, Qingyu; Gemert, Frederik van; Aanyu-Tukamuhebwa, Hellen; Chavannes, Niels; Katamba, Achilles; Obai, Gerald; Molen, Thys van der; Schwander, Stephan; Mohsenin, Vahid
    Air pollution is one of the leading global public health risks but its magnitude in many developing countries’ cities is not known. We aimed to measure the concentration of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3) pollutants in two Ugandan cities (Kampala and Jinja). PM2.5, O3, temperature and humidity were measured with real-time monitors, while NO2 and SO2 were measured with diffusion tubes. We found that the mean concentrations of the air pollutants PM2.5, NO2, SO2 and O3 were 132.1 μg/m3, 24.9 μg/m3, 3.7 μg/m3 and 11.4 μg/m3, respectively. The mean PM2.5 concentration is 5.3 times the World Health Organization (WHO) cut-off limits while the NO2, SO2 and O3 concentrations are below WHO cut-off limits. PM2.5 levels were higher in Kampala than in Jinja (138.6 μg/m3 vs. 99.3 μg/m3) and at industrial than residential sites (152.6 μg/m3 vs. 120.5 μg/m3) but residential sites with unpaved roads also had high PM2.5 concentrations (152.6 μg/m3). In conclusion, air pollutant concentrations in Kampala and Jinja in Uganda are dangerously high. Long-term studies are needed to characterize air pollution levels during all seasons, to assess related public health impacts, and explore mitigation approaches.