Prevalence and risk factors of patients with chronic bronchitis among Iraqi adults

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with chronic bronchitis among patients seeking medical attention for respiratory conditions in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city, Iraq. The study employed a case-control design and recruited 134 participants using convenient sampling. Data was collected using a questionnaire consisting of four parts which included demographic characteristics, individual factors, family history, and seasonal, environmental, and nutritional factors. The majority of participants were males aged between 21 and 35 years, with 71.8% of the study group residing in rural areas and 66.3% of the control group living in urban areas. We found that asthma was the most prevalent associated disease among chronic bronchitis patients, with 64.1% reporting it. The risk factors associated with chronic bronchitis were residency, smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, respiratory sensitivity, dust sensitivity, spring sensitivity, hay fever, asthma, pulmonary obstruction, pneumonia, pertussis, and family history. The study highlights the need for smoking cessation, physical fitness, and healthy eating habits to prevent chronic bronchitis. The findings of this study are important for healthcare professionals in Iraq to design and implement effective prevention and management strategies for chronic bronchitis.