Medication use in Indian children with asthma: the user's perspective

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Qualitative Health Research
• Global Health

Background:

• Asthma is prevalent in children globally, yet research on patient perceptions of medication is limited, especially in developing nations.
• Understanding patient and carer perspectives is crucial for effective asthma management.
• This study addresses a gap in research concerning pediatric asthma medication perception in India.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the views of children with asthma and their carers regarding asthma medication use.
• To identify barriers and facilitators to medication adherence from the patient and carer perspective.
• To understand the cultural context influencing asthma medication perception in India.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study employing a grounded theory approach.
• Semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 children (7-12 years) with asthma and their parents/carers.
• Participants were recruited from two specialty hospitals in New Delhi, India, and interviews were thematically analyzed.

Main Results:

• Key issues identified include poor understanding of asthma and its treatment by both children and parents.
• Fears, misconceptions, and a lack of self-management skills were prevalent among participants.
• Themes emerging from child interviews included negative self-image, resistance to medication, and perceived lack of responsibility in taking medication.

Conclusions:

• This research offers unique insights into the perspectives of children with asthma regarding their medications, particularly in a non-Western context.
• Physician-led, pragmatic, and paternalistic approaches to asthma management appear acceptable to Indian patients and carers, likely due to resource constraints.
• Findings suggest a need for culturally sensitive asthma education and self-management support programs tailored for children and families in India.