OBJECTIVES: Bronchial asthma is a common and life threatening problem affecting school children and adolescents. The flare-up of asthma may lead to impaired daily function and absence from school. These complications of bronchial asthma could be influenced by poor knowledge, poor use of inhaler technique, non-compliance and negative attitude toward the illness and drugs. The study is designed to assess the asthma knowledge of school students suffering form asthma and identify the resources of the knowledge. METHODS: All diagnosed asthma students (131 cases) selected from school health register grade 7-12 was included in this study. The self administrated questionnaire was distributed among them. It was designed to collect information of the students about epidemiology of asthma, source of their information and effect of the disease on their school attendance. Special knowledge score was constructed to measure the level of the students' knowledge. RESULTS: The study showed that from 131 diagnosed asthma cases 90% (118) aware about their diagnosis. Medical and paramedical personnel were found to be the source of knowledge for 49.4% (65) of the students, while teachers were mentioned by only 9.2% (12) of the students as their source of information. Regarding the effect of asthma on school absenteeism, 66% (87) of school students may miss their school due asthma attack. CONCLUSION: Health education about bronchial asthma is a need for school students. This require inter-disciplinary approach from various organization particularly the schools. It is vital that school teachers' knowledge be improved and continuously updated that it can reflect in students' knowledge and attitudes too.
OBJECTIVES:Bronchial asthma is a common and life threatening problem affecting school children and adolescents. The flare-up of asthma may lead to impaired daily function and absence from school. These complications of bronchial asthma could be influenced by poor knowledge, poor use of inhaler technique, non-compliance and negative attitude toward the illness and drugs. The study is designed to assess the asthma knowledge of school students suffering form asthma and identify the resources of the knowledge. METHODS: All diagnosed asthma students (131 cases) selected from school health register grade 7-12 was included in this study. The self administrated questionnaire was distributed among them. It was designed to collect information of the students about epidemiology of asthma, source of their information and effect of the disease on their school attendance. Special knowledge score was constructed to measure the level of the students' knowledge. RESULTS: The study showed that from 131 diagnosed asthma cases 90% (118) aware about their diagnosis. Medical and paramedical personnel were found to be the source of knowledge for 49.4% (65) of the students, while teachers were mentioned by only 9.2% (12) of the students as their source of information. Regarding the effect of asthma on school absenteeism, 66% (87) of school students may miss their school due asthma attack. CONCLUSION: Health education about bronchial asthma is a need for school students. This require inter-disciplinary approach from various organization particularly the schools. It is vital that school teachers' knowledge be improved and continuously updated that it can reflect in students' knowledge and attitudes too.
Entities:
Keywords:
Asthma knowledge; Bronchial Asthma; Health education; School students
Authors: Bazdawi M S Al-Riyami; Omar A S Al-Rawas; Asiya A Al-Riyami; Lyla G Jasim; Ali J Mohammed Journal: Respirology Date: 2003-03 Impact factor: 6.424