Abstract
ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate the levels of knowledge about asthma of parents of school children.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out with parents of children with medical diagnosis of asthma (mild, moderate and severe), followed up at an outpatient referral center for childhood asthma in the Southern region of Brazil (Asthma Group). Parents of children with asthma in remission and healthy children were also selected (Control Group). The Newcastle Asthma Knowledge Questionnaire (NAKQ) questionnaire was applied in both groups.ResultsA total of 154 parents of children participated in the study; in that, 62 (40.26%) in the Asthma Group, and 92 (59.74%) in the Control Group, with a mean age of 35.60±10.03 years. Of these, 132 (85.7%) were female, and 72 (46.8%) parents studied up to high school. The average score of level of knowledge was 18.06±4.11 points. Only 30.5% parents had acceptable levels of knowledge about asthma, which were more prevalent in the Asthma Group than in the Control Group (41.9% versus 22.8%, p=0.01). The mean score in Newcastle Asthma Knowledge Questionnaire (NAKQ) was higher in the Asthma Group (19.32±3.92 versus 17.21±4.03, p=0.001), respectively. The parents with mild and moderate asthmatic children scored more than those of severe asthma (19.5 and 19.9 versus 18.2 points, p=0.02).ConclusionMost parents had an unsatisfactory level of knowledge about asthma, which reinforces the need for changes in public asthma management programs.
Highlights
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that requires adequate management to remain controlled, avoiding exacerbations and loss of lung function.[1]
Prior studies demonstrated that the majority of parents of asthmatic children do not have satisfactory levels of knowledge about asthma,(9-11) even though these are fundamental for disease management
We believe that this study can expand data on knowledge about asthma of parents of asthmatic children in the Southern Region of Brazil, helping create and improve new methods in health education, aiming to increase compliance with treatment and provide better quality of life to patients and families
Summary
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that requires adequate management to remain controlled, avoiding exacerbations and loss of lung function.[1]. Popular myths amplify the fears about the side effects of the medications, limit engagement in physical exercise, and lead to behaviors that hinder the control of the disease.[6] It is common, e.g., for patients to quit using them, or for parents not giving the metereddose inhalers prescribed by physicians, alleging heart damage and patient dependence.[7] These paradigms should be overcome, but in order for this to happen, much effort is required from all involved with the disease, including healthcare professionals, patients and parents This challenge is believed to be greater in developing countries. We believe that this study can expand data on knowledge about asthma of parents of asthmatic children in the Southern Region of Brazil, helping create and improve new methods in health education, aiming to increase compliance with treatment and provide better quality of life to patients and families
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