Children with bronchial asthma assessed for psychosocial problems in a teaching hospital in Nigeria
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Mosunmola Florence Tunde-Ayinmode1
1University of Ilorin/University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Department of Behavioural Sciences.
Insights
Psychosocial problems affect 25% of children with bronchial asthma, impacting their daily lives. Lower maternal education and spousal support are key predictors, highlighting the need for integrated psychosocial care in pediatric asthma management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Child Psychology
- Social Determinants of Health
Background:
- Pediatric bronchial asthma is a global health concern, causing significant mortality and morbidity.
- Asthma in children is linked to psychosocial problems, potentially worsening disease control.
- Understanding the prevalence and factors of psychosocial issues in asthmatic children is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of psychosocial problems in children with bronchial asthma.
- To identify factors associated with psychosocial problems in this population.
- To inform clinical practice regarding psychosocial care for pediatric asthma patients.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 75 children aged 7-14 years with bronchial asthma.
- Participants attended clinics at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
- Data collected using the Child Behaviour Questionnaire and a semi-structured questionnaire.
Main Results:
- 25% of children exhibited probable psychological morbidity.
- Social impairments included interference with play (60%), domestic work (49%), fear of death (29%), and feeling like a burden (25%).
- Psychological morbidity was associated with lower maternal education and occupation, polygamy, large family size, and inadequate spousal support.
Conclusions:
- Routine psychosocial assessment and care should be integrated into pediatric asthma clinics.
- This integration can help mitigate suffering for children with asthma and their families.
- Addressing psychosocial factors is essential for comprehensive asthma management.
Background:
Paediatric bronchial asthma causes respiratory related mortality and morbidity globally and elevates the risk of psychological and social problems (psychosocial problems); which may result in poorer asthma control. The rate of and associated factors for psychosocial problems among our asthmatic children was assessed in this study.
Methods:
Seventy five (75) children aged 7 to 14 years with bronchial asthma who were attending clinics at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria, were assessed with Child behaviour questionnaire and a semi-structured questionnaire.
Results:
Probable psychological morbidity was present in 25% of the children. The most frequently reported social impairments associated with the disease were: interference with play (60%), domestic work (49%), fear of dying anytime (29%) and feeling of being a burden on the family (25%). Psychological morbidity was significantly associated with lower maternal education (p=0.020) and occupation (p=0.038), polygamy (p=0.012), fathers having more than 5 children (p=0.027) and mothers having inadequate spousal support (p=0.012). Inadequate spousal support and lower maternal occupational level were the significant predictors of morbidity following logistic regression.
Conclusion:
Routine psychosocial assessment and care for children with asthma needs to be introduced into our clinics to help protect them and their families from avoidable suffering.
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