[Knowledge and experience of 2- to 15-year-old children's parents consulting in pediatric emergency departments for asthma]

The presentation of a short adapted questionnaire to measure asthma knowledge of parents

Background

The aim of this study is to establish asthma knowledge of parents of children (0–18 years) with asthma at the outpatient clinic.

Methods

A translated and adapted a 21 item Likert type 5 point scale questionnaire (Cronbach’s α-coefficient 0.73) was completed by 291 parents of children with asthma. Total asthma knowledge scores were associated with demographic and psychosocial variables.

Results

Factor analysis resulted in a new reduced 10 item questionnaire (Cronbach’s α-coefficient 0.72). Higher educational level of parents was associated with better asthma knowledge (p < 0.008 and p < 0.003). Parents showed more knowledge (p < 0.001) on non-medication questions. Asthma knowledge of the parent did not correlate with child age, gender, duration of airway problems, time since diagnosis or severity of asthma.

Conclusions

Education of parents concerning the working mechanism, indications and use of asthma medications are an essential part of asthma education. Asthma education should be repeated frequently to parents of children with long-term airway problems or diagnosed asthma. Special attention must be paid to parents with only high school education or less.

"Healthcare seems to vary a lot": A focus group study among parents of children with severe allergy

BACKGROUND

Living with an allergic disease has consequences for both affected children and their families. The aim of this qualitative study was to gain deeper knowledge of what life is like for families of children with severe allergic disease, in order to improve care and thereby reduce the consequences of living with a chronic disease.

METHODS

Four focus group interviews were performed with Swedish parents of children, aged 6-11 and 12-16 years, with severe allergic disease (from one or more allergic conditions, such as food allergy/eczema/hay fever/asthma). The participants were attending a family support weekend. Interviews were analyzed with a qualitative method.

RESULTS

Based on parental experiences, the following themes were presented in the analysis: limitations, control, injustices, and fear and anxiety. It was evident that the families lived isolated lives and experienced different kinds of limitations. Parents felt a need to have control of their child's everyday life and described a feeling of constantly being on guard. They also suggested that understanding of the child's allergies was lacking in preschool/school and that healthcare did not provide adequate support. They felt that the same care should be offered to children and families, no matter where they lived.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on parental experiences, having a child with severe allergic disease implies a need to constantly be on guard. In order to improve the care of children with severe allergy and their families, a more person- and family-centered approach is needed.