PREVALENCE OF ASTHMA AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS AT A PRIVATE UNIVERSITY IN WESTERN PARANÁ

Abstract

This article aimed to describe the prevalence and management of asthma among medical students at a college in Cascavel-PR, during the period from 2024 to 2025, and its impact on quality of life and treatment adherence. To do so, an anonymous digital questionnaire was used, addressing the presence of symptoms, the need for emergency care, and the use of control medications. Among the 59 participants evaluated, 14 (23.7%) reported a diagnosis of asthma, showing a prevalence consistent with national studies in urban areas. Most individuals (69.5%) reported no current symptoms, but 20.3% presented occasional symptoms and 10.2% reported weekly or monthly symptoms, indicating variable control. The need for emergency care was reported by 7 (11.9%) participants, suggesting the presence of moderate to severe forms in the studied population. Regarding treatment, only 5 (8.5%) use medications such as inhaled corticosteroids. The study highlights the importance of public policies aimed at health education, early diagnosis promotion, and treatment encouragement.