Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Associated Factors in Arba Minch Health and Demographic Surveillance Site, 2020

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a worldwide public health problem. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) defines COPD as a common, preventable and treatable disease characterized by progressive airflow limitation. Nowadays, COPD has become the third leading cause of death and fourth cause of mortality in the world.

Objective: To assess chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and associated factors in Arba Minch - Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (AMU-HDSS) of Arba Minch University.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in AMU-HDSS among 615 individuals who were >15 years of age. Study participants were selected randomly by the lottery method. Spirometer device was used to measure lung function. Binary logistic regression analysis was computed to assess the crude association between dependent and independent variables. Finally, variables which showed association in binary logistic regression analysis and have a -value less than 0.3 were entered into multivariable logistic regression model to identify significant factors.

Results: The prevalence of spirometry diagnosed COPD was 10.6%. Highland residence showed higher proportion of COPD case which accounts 63.8% compared to 36.2% in lowland residence. Study participants who were in advanced age >41 years adjusted odd ratio (AOR) 3.65 (1.83, 7.28), living in highland area AOR 1.71 (1, 2.92), those who are elementary education level 2.45 (1.13, 5.28), who had no separate house for domestic animals AOR 2.84 (1.38, 5.85), having house which had no windows AOR 3.05 (5.79, 1.12) and living in traditional hut (tukulu), AOR 5.92 (1.19, 29.42) were significantly associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the study area.

Conclusion And Recommendation: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was one of respiratory illnesses in people who live in highland and traditional house lacking windows for air circulation. Improving housing condition of traditional hut by constructing window, separating domestic animals house from humans and minimizing animal dung smoke exposure is necessary to reduce the respiratory illness.