Compliance of adolescents with asthma.

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe the health regimen compliance of adolescents with asthma and some factors related to it. The following research questions were addressed: (i) to what extent do adolescents with asthma comply with health regimens; and (ii) what type of factors are associated with compliance of adolescents with asthma? A total of 300 individuals aged 13-17 years were randomly selected from the Finnish Social Insurance Institution's register. Every 15th person on the list was included in the sample and were sent questionnaires. A total of 88% (n = 266) of adolescents returned the questionnaire. The results showed that 42% of the adolescents with asthma complied fully with the health regimens, 42% placed themselves in the category of satisfactory compliance, and the remaining 18% reported poor compliance. Compliance with the need to avoid foods, animals and pollens that cause asthma attacks was poorest, while the highest degree of compliance was observed for medication and control visits to medical staff. Background variables, such as age, family size, exercise, smoking, alcohol intake and severity of disease, were significantly associated with compliance (P < 0.001). Good motivation, a strong sense of normality, energy and will-power, support from the parents, physicians and nurses, a positive attitude towards the disease and treatment, no threat to social wellbeing and no fears of complications had statistically significant relation to good compliance (P < 0.001).