Effectiveness of providing health education to caregivers of hospitalized children with asthma for the prevention of recurrent attacks: a quasi-randomized trial

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of health education intervention for caregivers of children with asthma, focused on preventing recurrent attacks and improving knowledge.

Methods: A quasi-randomized trial of 177 caregivers of asthmatic children was conducted in government hospitals in a district of Sri Lanka. At the time of discharge from the hospital, a health education booklet was prepared and given to the caregivers in the intervention group, along with individual explanation and discussion. The caregivers’ knowledge of asthma and preventive practices was assessed. The primary outcome was the proportion of children with recurrent attacks of asthma who needed doctor visits during the three month post discharge period. The intention-to-treat principle was applied for data analysis.

Results: In comparison to the control group, the intervention group had a 76% significant reduction in visits to the doctor for recurrent attacks (95% CI:45%-90%) and a 75% significant reduction in hospital admissions required for asthmatic children (95% CI:16%-93%) at the end of three months of intervention. The mean score of knowledge of asthma in the intervention group was 1.73 units higher at three months (p < 0.01) and 1.47 units higher at six months (p < 0.01) than the control group. The mean score of preventive practices for asthma in the intervention group was 1.25 units higher at three months (p = 0.02) and 1.15 units higher at six months (p < 0.01) versus the control group.

Conclusion: Health education intervention significantly decreased doctor and hospital visits at three months. In addition, caregiver knowledge of asthma and preventive practices also improved.

Trial Registration Number: SLCTR/2010/007

Keywords:

• Hospital
• intervention
• management
• pediatric
• respiratory
• symptoms
• wheezing

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the participant children, caregivers, and research assistance of the study.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Niranjala Perera

NP participated in the design of the study, coordinated data collection, conducted the intervention, drafted the first version of the manuscript. CA participated in the design of the study, performed the statistical analysis, interpreted the data and helped to draft the manuscript. Both of us read and approved the final manuscript.