Parental knowledge and misconceptions about asthma: a controlled study.

We interviewed the parents of 128 asthmatic children about their knowledge and misconceptions of asthma. Two-third or more gave correct responses to questions on aetiology and pathogenesis, pathophysiology, symptomatology, precipitants and outcome of asthma. A control group of parents of 110 children admitted to the hospital with minor surgical complaints performed equally well on the knowledge questions, except for four sub-questions: (1) allergy as an aetiologic factor in asthma (64.5% vs 83.6%, P = 0.002), (2) constriction of airways as a bodily change during an asthmatic attack (75.4% vs 91.3%, P = 0.004), (3) cough as a symptom of asthma (82.7% vs 99.2%, P less than 0.001) and (4) change in weather (81.0% vs 95.5%, P = 0.002) or cold weather (60.9% vs 74.2%, P = 0.015) as triggers of asthma. However, a significant minority of both groups of parents were found to harbour misconceptions about asthma. Between 10-20% believed that poor care, inappropriate diet during pregnancy or premature birth can predispose a child to asthma. About one-third believed that bodily changes during an asthmatic attack include loss of control or paralysis of chest muscles, infection of lungs and compression of the lungs by the stomach. Also about one-third believed that swallowing a hard object or touching a poisonous plant can set off an asthmatic attack. Some 10% believed that diarrhoea is a symptom of asthma, while 50% regarded sore throat as a symptom. Up to 40% believed in restriction of outdoor play by asthmatic children.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)