Effect of an Educational Intervention Program on Improving Self Care Practices of Asthmatic Children

Abstract

Background: Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood, it is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by recurrent reversible airway obstruction leads to airway hyper reactivity, which causes the airways to narrow. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention program on improving self-care practices of asthmatic children. A quasi experimental study was utilized. The study was conducted at pediatric Emergency Department and pediatric Outpatient Clinic at Suez Canal University Hospitals. The study subject included purposive sample of school aged children (40) with their accompanying mothers. Two tools were used; A structured interview questionnaire sheet, and observational checklists to assess children's knowledge and self-care practices regarding bronchial asthma. Results: Regarding knowledge and self-care practices of the studied children about bronchial asthma, the results showed that all children had unsatisfied knowledge and self-care practices pre-test that improved at post and follow up intervention phase where most of them had either satisfied level or partial satisfied level. The study concluded that implementation of the educational intervention program improved knowledge of the studied children about bronchial asthma, enhanced self-care practices, reduced frequency of asthmatic attack and reduced school absence days. The study recommended continuous educational intervention program based on actual need assessment for improving self-care practices of asthmatic children.