Children in the ACT with asthma--are they taking preventer medication according to guidelines?

To ascertain whether children with asthma in the Australian Capital Territory were taking preventer medications in accordance with National Asthma Council Australia guidelines.

Questionnaires were distributed to all parents who indicated in an ACT wide survey of school entry children in 2005 that their child had asthma (n=435), or experienced asthma symptoms/took asthma medication (n=501), exploring dose, frequency and mode of delivery of preventer their child was currently taking.

Data were available for 256 children (response rate 27%). Of the children with parent reported asthma (n=435) the response rate was 42%. Eighty-three (32%) children were currently taking preventers; complete medication details were provided for 60 children. A total of 32% of children on preventers were taking doses of preventers not in accordance with guidelines, while 80% of children were taking their medications at frequencies, or using delivery devices, not in accordance with guidelines.

This study suggests that home medical management of asthma with preventers for children may not be optimal.