WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Dr. Mohammed Kadhim Hasan, *Dr. Hamid Naif Mkeef, Aya Talib Hashim and Zahraa Maythem Barzan

ABSTRACT

Background: Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is a prevalent and distressing symptom arising from a variety ofunderlying etiologies, including respiratory, cardiac, neuromuscular, psychogenic, and systemic illnesses.Understanding the prevalence, associated factors, and outcomes of dyspnea, particularly related to irrationalsteroid use, is critical for improving patient management and outcomes. Objective: This study aims to investigatethe prevalence of dyspnea among patients, identify associated factors, and assess outcomes related to steroid usageand awareness. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Al Hussainey Hospital,involving 93 participants who were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data on demographiccharacteristics, health and smoking status, respiratory complaints, and steroid usage were collected. Statisticalanalysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0, employing descriptive and inferential statistics to evaluateassociations between variables. Results: The sample comprised 52.7% females and 47.3% males, with a mean ageof 8.5 years. A significant portion of participants reported low monthly family incomes and limited education.Chronic diseases, particularly asthma (20.4%) and chronic bronchitis (11.8%), were common, with a notableproportion (38.7%) experiencing dyspnea during public gatherings. Environmental triggers such as dust andperfumes were identified. Steroid use was prevalent, with 33.3% using steroids thrice daily, yet 86% were unawareof associated risks. Age differences were significant, with younger participants more affected by chest infectionsand older participants by asthma (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The study underscores the impact of socio-economicfactors on respiratory health, the high prevalence of respiratory complaints, and the widespread but poorlyinformed use of steroids. There is a critical need for targeted educational interventions to improve steroid usageawareness and tailored management strategies for different age groups to address dyspnea effectively.