Assessment of asthma-prone environment in Karachi, Pakistan using GIS modeling

Objective To determine the association among number of factors influenced by asthma using geographic information system. Methods The cross-sectional study was conducted in Landhi and Korangi towns of Karachi from 2011 to 2013, and comprised ecological mapping and multi-criteria evaluation techniques to discover the relationship of local environmental settings with asthma. Additionally, exacerbating environment and the root causes within the local settings were assessed. Data was gathered using an extended version of the questionnaire developed by the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. Data was analysed by using ArcGIS 10. Results The findings are very alarming as almost 40% (468,930 estimated pop 1998 census) of the study population lived in high asthma-prone environment, having a very high risk of respiratory disorders, including asthma. Conclusions The integrated environmental effect in the form of respiratory disorders was appraised, focusing on asthma by using multi-criteria analysis.