Cognitive predictors of self-management behavior of asthmatic children and their families in Alexandria.

The aim of this work was to study self-management behavior (SMB) of asthmatic children and their parents, its cognitive predictors as well as its effect on the child stress and health care utilization. Data was collected by interviewing 500 asthmatic children aged 9-18 years and 500 of their parents. The study revealed that very low percentage of the respondents had good asthma management behavior. The most frequent behaviors were taking medication, going to doctor and avoiding asthma triggers. The least practiced behaviors were breathing exercises and bronchial hygiene practices. The main predictor for children's SMB which constituted 36.3% of its variance was parental management behavior. Most of the studied cognitive factors were proved as predictors for children's SMB including knowledge, self-efficacy, health locus of control, perceived seriousness and barriers. Socioeconomic status was the main predictor of parental SMB, together with knowledge, powerful others health locus of control, health value, perceived barriers and father's education shared by 46.4% in explanation of its variance. Child knowledge, parental SMB, and socioeconomic status were significantly predicting health care utilization and level of child stress. A need was highlighted for initiation an asthma management educational program to families of asthmatic children.