RESUMO
The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of asthma in the city of Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso) and detail the epidemiological pattern. A screening questionnaire was administered to a representative sample of the city population: 808 subjects aged 15 to 64 years. Persons presenting signs suggestive of asthma were asked to attend consultations at the lung disease unit of the Souro-Sanou Hospital at Bobo-Dioulasso for physical examination. The prevalence of asthma was 9.6%. In the asthma population, 80.8% were aged 15-45 years, with no difference between men and women. Signs of asthma predominated during the evening and night (57.5%). Both benign and intermittent courses were observed. There was a peak during the cold dry season (44% of the acute episodes). Asthma was found in subjects from all ethnic origins but with different distributions. Asthma was found to be an important public health problem in Bobo-Dioulasso. Further studies should be conducted throughout the country to obtain more precise information on asthma and better detail the different aspects in order to develop prevention measures.