Asthma in College Hostels: Unrecognized Psychosocial Burdens and Management Deficits

Asthma is a common chronic respiratory condition that significantly affects the quality of life, academic performance, and mental health of college students. Among those living in hostels, these challenges are often amplified by environmental triggers such as poor ventilation, dampness, mold, and temperature-related conditions, as well as psychosocial stressors linked to communal living. This perspective explores the overlooked intersection between asthma management, mental well-being, and institutional responsibility within hostel settings. It discusses how corticosteroid therapy, while essential for disease control, may contribute to psychiatric symptoms that further complicate adherence and daily functioning. Many students experience stigma, embarrassment about inhaler use, and inadequate support from hostel staff during exacerbations, which collectively lead to poor control and academic decline. Addressing these issues demands a shift beyond pharmacological approaches toward comprehensive institutional strategies that include environmental assessment and remediation, appropriate indoor temperature and humidity control, routine medical screening, staff training, peer support, and digital self-management tools. By fostering awareness and integrating psychosocial support into campus health systems, colleges can create safer and more inclusive environments for students with asthma, ultimately improving both respiratory outcomes and overall well-being.