Childhood Asthma and Barriers to its Management: Perceptions of Patients, their Caregivers and Healthcare Providers from Selected Referral Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

No Thumbnail Available

Date

2021-03

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Addis Abeba University

Abstract

Background: Asthma is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. The perceptions of children with asthma and their caregivers about asthma and its medication were reasons for low adherence to recommended treatment regimens and to poor asthma control. Objectives: To identify the perception of children with asthma, of their caregivers and healthcare providers towards asthma and barriers to long term childhood asthma management in two selected referral hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: Qualitative study design was employed using in depth interview technique supplemented with observational field notes. Children with asthma between the ages of 8 to 15years old, their caregivers and healthcare providers in the pediatric chest clinics of two referral hospitals in Addis Ababa, were purposively sampled for inclusion in the study which was ethically approved. After data was transcribed verbatim, it was translated from Amharic into English. Finally, it was analyzed using thematic analysis. Result: Twenty-three children with asthma, 23 caregivers and 8 healthcare providers participated in the study. Varied perception about asthma and its management was revealed. Factors affecting childhood asthma management include limited awareness about asthma and its management, inadequate education received from healthcare professionals and non - adherence to recommended treatment. Conclusion: Varied perceptions about asthma and its management were reported by children with asthma. Low adherence of the children to their recommended regimens, which may be caused by different factors, may contribute to suboptimal health outcomes.

Description

Keywords

Asthma, children with asthma, caregivers

Citation

Collections