Asthma awareness campaign in Al-Khobar: Addressing the rise in cases in the Kingdom

Recent and alarming medical statistics reveal that the prevalence of asthma in Saudi Arabia ranges from 15% to 20%. In a proactive step to mitigate these complications, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University Hospital in Al-Khobar launched an asthma awareness campaign targeting 600 male and female students. This initiative comes at a critical time, as the need to raise awareness about chronic respiratory diseases and how to manage them is growing, aiming to ensure a better quality of life for patients.

Health dimensions of asthma in the Kingdom and the region

Historically, asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases worldwide. In the Arabian Gulf region, and specifically in Saudi Arabia, environmental and climatic factors play a significant role in increasing prevalence rates. The desert climate, frequent sandstorms, sudden temperature changes, and rapid industrial development are all historical and environmental factors that have contributed to making respiratory diseases a persistent health challenge. Global estimates from the World Health Organization indicate that between 260 and 300 million people worldwide suffer from asthma, highlighting the critical importance of intensifying medical and educational efforts to reduce its serious complications.

The current three-day event, themed "Your Awareness is Our Goal, Your Breathing is Our Life," aims to highlight methods for preventing asthma attacks effective management . Dr. Saad Al-Amri, Executive Director of the University's Academic Medical City, inaugurated the comprehensive awareness campaign to raise community awareness, in the presence of Professor Dr. Mohammed Al-Shahrani, Dean of the College of Medicine; Dr. Osama Al-Suwayan, Executive Director of the University Hospital; Dr. Abdullah Yousef, Executive Director of King Fahd University Hospital in Al-Khobar; and a number of physicians and specialists.

Objectives of an asthma awareness campaign and its expected societal impact

The importance of launching an asthma awareness campaign extends beyond purely medical considerations, encompassing a wide-ranging social and economic impact. Locally, educating young people contributes to reducing school absenteeism and alleviating pressure on hospital emergency departments. Regionally, these initiatives serve as a model for preventative public health programs. The Department of Internal Medicine organized this medical event in close collaboration with the Departments of Pediatrics, Family and Community Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Respiratory Care, Pharmacy, Nutrition, and Emergency Medicine, as well as the Health Education and Communication Units.

Targeting school students to build a conscious generation

Dr. Abeer Al-Saeed, Head of the Internal Medicine Department at the hospital, confirmed that the campaign focuses specifically on school students. Invitations were sent to 30 schools, with approximately 600 students expected to attend, averaging 200 visitors daily, in addition to hospital patients. Dr. Al-Saeed explained that official statistics indicate a higher prevalence of asthma among children and adolescents compared to the elderly.

Al-Saeed explained that the campaign aims to educate the community about the causes and symptoms of asthma, raising awareness about managing acute attacks and differentiating between emergency and preventative treatments, whether through inhalers or modern biological therapies. The events include comprehensive educational sections covering prevention methods, avoiding triggers, diagnostic tools and equipment, how to live normally with the disease, and the close relationship between healthy nutrition and controlling respiratory symptoms. She emphasized that awareness is the cornerstone of asthma management, as it plays a crucial role in reducing exposure to triggers and promoting adherence to daily preventative treatment.

Early diagnosis and prevention methods for children

For his part, Dr. Ziad Hamdi, a consultant in pediatrics, respiratory diseases and sleep disorders, explained that diagnosing asthma in children under the age of five depends mainly on the medical history and clinical examination, given the difficulty of conducting lung function tests for this age group.

Ziad Essam Hamdi, Consultant in Pediatric Chest and Respiratory Diseases and Sleep Disorders in Children

Dr. Hamdi emphasized the differences in symptoms between adults and children, as well as the variation in licensed medical treatments for each age group. He pointed out some misconceptions among parents, such as the belief that steam inhalers are more effective than nebulizers, and the use of preventative treatment only when symptoms appear. He warned against home environments that can trigger attacks, cautioning against exposure to secondhand smoke, incense, charcoal, dust, weather changes, direct exposure to cold air, and furry animals.

The dangers of passive smoking and irritants on respiratory health

In a related context, Dr. Fahd Al-Mulhem, a consultant in respiratory, rheumatic and sleep medicine diseases, confirmed that children are the most affected by irritants such as smoking, electronic cigarettes and strong perfumes.

Dr. Al-Mulhem pointed out that the harm of secondhand smoke to children can exceed the harm to the smoker themselves, a key focus of the awareness campaign. He corrected common misconceptions about using inhalers directly through the mouth, emphasizing that using specialized spacer devices is more effective in ensuring medication reaches the lungs instead of accumulating in the mouth. He concluded by warning against the mistake of stopping preventative medication when symptoms are absent, stressing the importance of quitting smoking or avoiding smoking around family members to protect their health. He also emphasized that regular use of medication significantly reduces the severity of attacks, even in stable cases.