Epidemic of asthma is beginning in Nigeria —Expert

By Sade Oguntola

A paediatrician, Professor Adegoke Falade, has warned that an epidemic of asthma in children is beginning in Nigeria.

Professor Falade said this in his inaugural lecture with the title ‘Ensuring that our Children Breathe Well’ An Odyssey Wrapped in Providence” at the University of Ibadan.

Falade, a paediatric pulmonologist, stated that the increasing prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases in children had been established by two surveys in Ibadan.

The expert declared that the rate of wheezing, a symptom of asthma, had increased significantly in 13 to 14 year age group from 10.7 per cent to 13 per cent.

He said the surge in asthma cases in Nigeria may be linked to exposure to substances like triclosan that may promote asthma development and worsen control.

“Exposure to triclosan in 120 Nigerian and Ghanaian children with asthma is considerable. This may impart their asthma control negatively,” he said.

Professor Falade declared that an epidemic of asthma was observed to have started eight years ago in the United States of America after the introduction of triclosan in 1972.

According to him, triclosan is a mild antibacterial and antifungal compound that is present in-home care products such as antiseptic soaps, toothpaste, detergents, hand washes and sanitizers, clothing, toys, carpets and paints.

The expert said triclosan has been detected in breastmilk, fingernails, toenails, amniotic fluid and cord blood, so a possibility of it also getting to babies.

Professor Falade said triclosan had been banned in the European Union countries and marketing of antiseptic wash products containing triclosan stopped in the United States.

He added, “In Africa, there are currently no restrictions on the sale and use of triclosan-containing products and they remain widely available.”

The expert also highlighted factors that predispose to asthma to include lack of exercise, having a parent that smokes and having contact with cat hair, cockroaches, mango blossom and mouse epithelium.

The expert stated that management of asthma in Nigeria is beset with numerous challenges, including poverty, inadequate resources, weak health systems and poor infrastructure.

Professor Falade also called on the Federal Government to build on the Oxygen Implementation Project to ensure Nigeria reaches the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3

According to him, “with universal oxygen access and more than 90 per cent oxygen coverage for hypoxaemic individuals (persons with low levels of oxygen in their blood), we can reduce pneumonia mortality by approximately half.”