1
|
Naidoo KL, Dladla S, Mphahlele RE, Mosler G, Muyemayema S, Ssemata AS, Mkutumula E, Adeyeye OO, Goodman O, Kuyinu Y, Nantanda R, Addo-Yobo E, Owusu SK, Arhin B, Ticklay I, Mujuru HA, Grigg J, Masekela R. A cross-country qualitative analysis of teachers' perceptions of asthma care in sub-Saharan Africa. NPJ Prim Care Respir Med 2023; 33:31. [PMID: 37741822 PMCID: PMC10517916 DOI: 10.1038/s41533-023-00354-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease among school-going adolescents worldwide. However, the burden of severe asthma is highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to explore teachers' perceptions of asthma care across six African countries. We conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. FGDs were conducted in Kumasi(Ghana), Blantyre (Malawi), Lagos (Nigeria), Durban (South Africa), Kampala (Uganda), and Harare (Zimbabwe) between 01 November 2020 and 30 June 2021. We identified two key themes related to asthma care; barriers to asthma care and suggestions to improve the care of adolescents with asthma. Barriers reported by teachers included a lack of knowledge and skills among themselves, adolescents, and caregivers. In addition, some traditional beliefs of teachers on asthma exacerbated challenges with asthma care in schools. Regarding suggestions, most teachers identified a need for all-inclusive asthma training programmes for teachers, adolescents and caregivers, focusing on acute episodes and mitigating triggers. Utilising teachers with personal experiences with asthma to advocate and support these initiatives was suggested. Further suggestions included the need for annual screening to enable early identification of adolescents with asthma and clarify restrictions on teachers administering asthma medications. Teachers across African schools identify multiple barriers to asthma care. Structured school education programs and annual asthma screening are key to addressing some barriers to care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kimesh Loganathan Naidoo
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Sindisiwa Dladla
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Reratilwe Ephenia Mphahlele
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Gioia Mosler
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Sophie Muyemayema
- Child and Adolescent Health Unit (CAHU), Department of Primary Health Care Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Andrew Sentoogo Ssemata
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Mkutumula
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, College of Medicine, Chichiri, Malawi
| | - Olayinka Olufunke Adeyeye
- Lagos State University College of Medicine Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
- Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Olayinka Goodman
- Lagos State University College of Medicine Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
- Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Yetunde Kuyinu
- Lagos State University College of Medicine Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
- Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Rebecca Nantanda
- Makerere University Lung Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Emmanuel Addo-Yobo
- Department of Child Health, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Bernhard Arhin
- Department of Child Health, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Ismail Ticklay
- Child and Adolescent Health Unit (CAHU), Department of Primary Health Care Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Hilda Angela Mujuru
- Child and Adolescent Health Unit (CAHU), Department of Primary Health Care Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Jonathan Grigg
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Refiloe Masekela
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Brosso L, Zonta JB, Levada AF, Barbosa NG, Lima RAG, Okido ACC. Knowledge and experience of Primary Education teachers regarding childhood asthma: mixed study. Rev Esc Enferm USP 2023; 57:e20220329. [PMID: 37216653 DOI: 10.1590/1980-220x-reeusp-2022-0329en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the knowledge of Primary Education teachers regarding asthma and learn about their experiences with the exacerbation of symptoms at school. METHOD Sequential explanatory mixed study. In the quantitative stage, the Newcastle Asthma Knowledge Questionnaire and the characterization instrument were applied. Data analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. The production of qualitative data occurred from written statements analyzed using the deductive content analysis method. RESULTS Two hundred and seven teachers, mostly women (92%) and working in public schools (82%). As for knowledge, 132 (63.8%) had unsatisfactory performance. The questions with the lowest rates of correct answers were about medications used regularly and during the attacks. Teachers with higher scores had less time in the occupation (p = 0.017) and had been diagnosed with asthma (p = 0.006). In the qualitative stage, 35 teachers participated and the statements corroborated the quantitative findings, especially in relation to the knowledge gap and feeling of greater safety among asthmatic teachers. CONCLUSION Teachers showed insufficient knowledge and reported fear and unpreparedness in the face of the situation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Brosso
- Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Brosso Zonta
- Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Aline Fernanda Levada
- Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Nayara Gonçalves Barbosa
- Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Faculdade de Enfermagem, Departamento de Enfermagem Materno Infantil e Saúde Pública, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
| | - Regina Aparecida Garcia Lima
- Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Enfermagem Materno-Infantil e Saúde Pública, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|