Significance of Individual Education of Parents About Care of Children With Bronchial Asthma
The aim was to evaluate the significance of individual education of parents about care of children (1−7 years) with bronchial asthma.
Methods. The study was conducted during November 2014 and March 2015. In total, 50 parents participated in the study. A questionnaire was composed by the researchers. Parents were taught at a hospital about care of children with bronchial asthma according to an individual program, and their knowledge was evaluated before and after the program.
Results. The mean age of the parents was 33.6 (SD, 6.0) years. The majority of the parents (n=42, 84.0%) wanted to acquire more knowledge about bronchial asthma. Many parents (n=40, 80.0%) wanted to learn about care of children with bronchial asthma by way of individual training. They were most often consulted about bronchial asthma by a family doctor (n=40, 80.0%) and most seldom by nurses (n=10, 20.0%). After individual training, the parents knew better about symptoms of bronchial asthma, such as wheezing while breathing, chest tightness, and physical load intolerance. The parents did not know much about effects of aspirin and sulfites (n=4, 8.0%), physical load (n=12, 24.0%), or perfume as an allergen (n=13, 26.0%) on children with bronchial asthma. After individual training, the knowledge of the parents about the risk factors of bronchial asthma that may cause exacerbations of the disease significantly improved. The majority of the parents (n=47, 94.0%) knew that breathing in and pressing an inhaler should be combined; however, they did not know (n=37, 74.0%) that it was important to rinse the mouth after inhalation.
Conclusions. Individual parental training in a hospital about care of children with bronchial asthma had a positive effect. The parents felt it was important for them to acquire knowledge and information about control of bronchial asthma from healthcare specialists. Therefore, it is essential to organize individual training at healthcare institutions, where it could and should be carried out and coordinated by nurses.
Correspondence to L. Spirgienė Correspondence to L. Spirgienė, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių 4, LT‑50009 Kaunas, Lithuania. E-mail: lina.spirgiene@lsmu.lt