The dataset contains quantitative and qualitative datasets. Quantitative dataset have questionnaire and spirometry data collected from randomly selected adult population. Whereas the qualitative data contains in depth interview data collected from patient, physician and different stakeholders from private and public health system in rural part of India. The purpose of this dataset collected is to assess the burden of CRD and its social and economic impact on the community and health system.

Chronic Respiratory Diseases (CRD) especially asthma & Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are common public health problems with high prevalence and mortality rates across the world. Although the majority of deaths and disability occur in developing countries, there is very little data on the true prevalence of asthma and COPD in these countries. Chronic respiratory symptoms are common in the general population but weak primary health care systems in resource-poor countries are often unable to diagnose the underlying disease condition. Factors contributing to low rates of diagnosis include limited access to, negative perceptions of, and lack of diagnostic capability in healthcare facilities. Determining the prevalence of asthma & COPD in the community has remained a challenge because of the poor sensitivity and specificity of the widely used questionnaire-based research tools, while spirometry, which is the gold standard diagnostic test, is a challenge to use in community-based epidemiological surveys.

Informed by a scoping review of existing questionnaires and protocols used in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) to identify CRDs, we conducted a pilot survey to explore feasibility of using screening process in four countries (Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, and Pakistan). Our pilot findings will inform a future fully powered survey to determine the prevalence of asthma, COPD and other CRD in the community, using robust random sampling strategies, and quality assured spirometry undertaken by field workers.

For further information, see: https://www.ed.ac.uk/usher/respire/chronic-respiratory-disorders/estimating-chronic-respiratory-disease-burden