ASTHMATIC CHILDREN

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES AMONG CAREGIVERS

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices among caregivers
of asthmatic children and to describe their clinical and biographic features. Material and
methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in asthma clinic and medical
wards of children hospital P.I.M.S.100 diagnosed asthmatic children and their caregivers were
enrolled. Two questionnaire one comprising clinical aspects and other regarding knowledge
attitude and practices among caregivers were administered. Results: 100 asthmatic children
and their caregivers participated. Among children, 77% were breastfed, 95% were immunized,
only 13% were receiving controller medications and 62% were having >5 acute exacerbations
per year. Diagnosis of asthma was accepted by 76% of caregivers, of which 67% recognized
correct etiology. Multiple food items were blamed for acute exacerbations, while respiratory
infections were most commonly recognized triggering factor. 50% of study population was
ignorant of aerosol therapy and only 26% prefer it. Cough suppressants are most popular home
medications. Conclusions: Asthma awareness is inadequate. Controller medications and
aerosol therapy is underused and unnecessarily blamed. Asthmatic children are deprived of
nutritious food considering them as triggering factors. Awareness raising strategies are needed
in community.