Prevalence and Associated Factors of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Among Adults in Neno District, Malawi: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) continues to pose a global public health challenge. However, literature is scarce on the burden of COPD in Malawi. We assessed the prevalence and risk factors for COPD among adults in Neno, Malawi. Methodology: We conducted a population-based analytical cross-sectional study in Neno District between December 2021 and November 2022. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, we included 525 adults aged≥40 years. All participants underwent spirometry according to the American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines and were interviewed using the IMPALA questionnaire. For this study, we utilized the definition of COPD as a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC <0.70. We collected data using Kobo collect, exported to Microsoft Excel, and analysed using R software. We used descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis; a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of 525 participants, 510 participants were included in the final analysis. Fifty-eight percent of the participants were females (n=296), and 62.2% (n=317) were between 40 and 49 years with a median (IQR) age of 46 (40-86). For patient characteristics, 15.1% (n=77) were current smokers, and 4.1% (n=21) had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Cough was the most commonly reported respiratory symptom (n=249, 48.8%). The prevalence of COPD was 10.0% (n=51) and higher (15.0%) among males compared to females (6.4%). Factors significantly associated with COPD were age 60 years and above (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Among Adults in Neno District, Malawi: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study [Letter]

“…We have read a research article entitled “Prevalence and Associated Factors of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Among Adults in Neno District, Malawi: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study” by Zaniku et al, 1 recently published International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. We congratulate the authors on this successful article and make some contributions.…”

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease among Adults in Neno District, Malawi: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study [Response To Letter]

“…The review also provided a list of limitations, many of which were already noted in our manuscript 2 and will need to be considered in the future. One limitation was the inability to concretely diagnose tuberculosis in this study.…”