Publication:

Knowledge and beliefs of parents of asthmatic children presenting to the outpatient department in Kovai medical centre and hospital, Tamil Nadu, India

Background Childhood asthma has a major impact on a child’s quality of life and that of their parents. To assess the level of understanding and beliefs by parents of asthmatic children about causation, pathophysiology, treatment, and prognosis.

Methods The study was conducted in Kovai medical centre and hospital Coimbatore in 2017. Totally 101 asthmatic children were included in the study. Asthmatic children aged 6 years to 15 years. A total of 101 parents participated in this study. The sex and age of the informant, mother’s literacy and mother’s occupation were noted. The socio-economic status of the family was computed using modified Kuppuswamy scale 2016.

Results In present study among the 101 children, 38.61% are in the school age (5-8 years), 38.61% are in the tweens (9-12 years) and 22.78% are teenagers. 45.54% of the children are from the rural area. Half of the children are experiencing the disease for more than 6 years now, the other half less than 6 years. 5.94% of the parents interviewed were not aware of the diagnosis. 71.29% thought that asthma is a hereditary condition.

Conclusions A wide gap exists between recommendations and the actual practice. Hence by improving parents’ knowledge about asthma, their attitude and practice can be positively affected.