Knowledge Levels of Mothers of Asthmatic Children About Asthma

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Parents' compliance with asthma treatment is one of the main factors determining the success of treatment. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge of asthma symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of mothers of asthmatic children. METHODS: A questionnaire consisting of 42 questions was used in the study. The survey was composed of questions prepared by us and adapted from a validated asthma knowledge level questionnaire named The Newcastle Asthma Knowledge Questionnaire (NAKQ).Each correct answer was considered 2.38 points. Those with 67.7 points and above were considered sufficient. RESULTS: The mothers of 323 children with asthma were included in the study. There was no one who answered all the questions correctly among the mothers. The total mean score of the mothers was 57.8±11.9 (median: 58.5, minimum: 26.8, maximum: 87.8). The median scores of the mothers who graduated from university (median: 65.9, minimum: 36.6, maximum: 85.4) was higher than those who graduated from primary school (median: 53.7, minimum: 29.3, maximum: 87.8), middle school (median: 58.5, minimum: 29.3, maximum: 78) and high school (median: 61, minimum: 26.8, maximum: 80.5) (p<0.001, p<0.001 and p=0.003). The median score of working mothers (median: 65.9, minimum: 34.1, maximum: 87.8) was higher than those who housewives (median: 56.1, minimum: 26.8, maximum: 87.8) (p<0.001). The median scores of mothers who breastfeed for more than six months (median: 61, minimum: 29.3, maximum: 87.8) was higher compared to those who breastfeed less than six months (median: 56.1, minimum: 26.8, maximum: 85.4) (p=0.005). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Education levels of the mothers and being a working mother were significant factors affecting the level of asthma knowledge among mothers.