Relationship between knowledge and quality of asthma care among physicians in South-West Nigeria

Adequate knowledge of asthma management and adherence to international guidelines are known to increase the quality of care offered by Physicians. We conducted this study to assess the level of asthma knowledge and quality of care among physicians practicing in Ondo State.

We conducted a cross sectional survey of 96 physicians from various specialties participating in a continuous professional development (CPD) lecture using adapted questionnaires.

Respondents ranged in age from 23-62years (42.5±19.4). There were more male (70%). The minority (17%) had additional postgraduate medical qualifications. There was a high distribution of correct answers for individual knowledge questions. The greatest areas of knowledge gaps appeared in diagnostic instruments, asthma severity and drugs. We observed gaps regarding the use of GINA guidelines (6%) and prescribing combined inhaled steroid and long acting bronchodilator for patients who are not controlled on inhaled steroid alone (29%). A large number of the respondents do not confirm the diagnosis of asthma by spirometry (32%). Only 8% of the respondents with high knowledge reported a corresponding high quality of Asthma care.

We concluded that although physicians in South-West Nigeria appear to have good knowledge, there are areas of gap in the quality of asthma care with regards to standard guideline. There is need for constant training and re-training of physicians in order to keep them up to date with international guidelines. In addition, increase access to diagnostic facilities and adapting international guideline to local realities will help improve standard of Asthma care.