Alsayed Badr, Alatawi Abeer, Alatawi Omniyyah M, Alatawi Rawan H, Alfuhaymani Asmaa M, Aljohani Jomanah K
Internal Medicine, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, SAU.
Nursing, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, SAU.
Cureus. 2023 Feb 18;15(2):e35162. doi: 10.7759/cureus.35162. eCollection 2023 Feb.
Introduction Asthma is a chronic heterogeneous inflammatory disease that affects millions of individuals around the globe. Standardized asthma management is crucial to maintain and control the disease. Caregivers are the leading players in managing asthma during childhood. Studies are lacking in the Tabuk region. The aim of this study was to elucidate knowledge levels and common practices of caregivers of pediatric patients with asthma in the Tabuk region of Saudi Arabia and its impact on asthma control. Methodology A validated cross-sectional survey of the population of the Tabuk region was conducted from July 1, 2022, to September 30, 2022. Convenience sampling via an internet-based questionnaire within the study area was deployed, followed by phone interviews. Results A total of 393 caregivers completed the questionnaire, and the data were analyzed. The median age of asthmatic children was nine years, and most of them were males (60.8%). Most caregivers had a higher education (62.1%). The symptoms of allergic rhinitis were found in almost 80% of children. Pulmonary function tests were performed in 42.5% of children, and only one-third underwent radioallergosorbent (RAST) skin testing. About half the children had an asthmatic attack and an emergency department visit once during the previous 12 months, and most were hospitalized during that period. Most caregivers showed good knowledge (score=7) about symptoms of asthma and factors that could worsen the child's asthma, as well as good asthma control practices (score ≥7). Children with poorly controlled asthma were younger, had significant allergic rhinitis symptoms (30%), and underwent pulmonary function tests (60%). Conclusion In the Tabuk region, the extent of asthma control was significantly associated with caregivers' knowledge and practices for children with asthma. Future public education campaigns should focus on closing the observed knowledge and practice gaps to reduce the impact of childhood asthma.
引言
哮喘是一种慢性异质性炎症性疾病，影响着全球数百万人。标准化的哮喘管理对于维持和控制该疾病至关重要。在儿童哮喘管理中，照顾者起着主导作用。沙特阿拉伯塔布克地区缺乏相关研究。本研究的目的是阐明沙特阿拉伯塔布克地区哮喘患儿照顾者的知识水平和常见做法及其对哮喘控制的影响。
方法
2022年7月1日至2022年9月30日，对塔布克地区的人群进行了一项经过验证的横断面调查。通过在研究区域内基于互联网的问卷进行便利抽样，随后进行电话访谈。
结果
共有393名照顾者完成了问卷，并对数据进行了分析。哮喘儿童的中位年龄为9岁，其中大多数为男性（60.8%）。大多数照顾者受过高等教育（62.1%）。近80%的儿童有过敏性鼻炎症状。42.5%的儿童进行了肺功能测试，只有三分之一的儿童接受了放射性变应原吸附试验（RAST）皮肤测试。约一半的儿童在过去12个月内曾发生过哮喘发作并到急诊科就诊，且在此期间大多数儿童住院治疗。大多数照顾者对哮喘症状和可能加重儿童哮喘的因素表现出良好的知识水平（得分=7），以及良好的哮喘控制做法（得分≥7）。哮喘控制不佳的儿童年龄较小，有明显的过敏性鼻炎症状（30%），并进行了肺功能测试（60%）。
结论
在塔布克地区，哮喘控制程度与哮喘患儿照顾者的知识和做法显著相关。未来的公共教育活动应侧重于缩小观察到的知识和做法差距，以减少儿童哮喘的影响。
