[Knowledge and impact on disease management by asthmatic patients]

Asthma is a disorder characterized by obstruction episodes of the respiratory tract. A qualitative study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge of the asthmatic patients and its impact on disease management. The sample size formed by 30 asthmatic patients was directed by the research question and analytical requirements. The data was collected at Emergency Department Attendance of Health System located at Coronel Fabriciano, Ipatinga and Timóteo. Interviews were performed during the months of June and July 2005. The results showed that the knowledge of the asthmatic patients was regular or insufficient to prevent asthmatic crisis. The knowledge was associated to the individuals experience through the contact with risk factors. Then, is important to designed asthma education and prevention program.