Knowledge levels of mothers of asthmatic children about asthma

Abstract

Objective: Compliance of the family with asthma treatment is one of the main factors determining the success of treatment. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge level of the mothers with asthmatic children about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of asthmaMethod: A questionnaire consisting of 42 questions was used in the study. The questionnaire was composed of questions prepared by us and adapted from a validated asthma knowledge level questionnaire. Each correct answer was evaluated as 2.38 points. Those receiving 67.7 points above were considered sufficient.Results: 323 mothers of children with asthma were included in the study. None of the mothers answered all the questions correctly among. 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 were housewives (median: 56.1, minimum: 26.8, maximum: 87.8) (p<0.001). The median score of mothers who breastfed for more than six months (median: 61, minimum: 29.3, maximum: 87.8) was higher compared to those who breastfed less than six months (median: 56.1, minimum: 26.8, maximum: 85.4) (p=0.005).Conclusion: Education levels of the mothers and being a working mother were significant factors affecting the level of asthma knowledge among mothers.