Education in childhood asthma: a preliminary study of need and efficacy

This study initially assessed in parents of children with asthma, their knowledge of the condition and its management. Using a knowledge questionnaire a mean score for 30 parents of 69.1% was found, with a range between 44% and 86%. The study went on to examine whether an educational intervention program for parents could both improve knowledge and lower morbidity. The results for 14 parents who completed the educational intervention program were compared to those for 14 parents who did not complete the program. Both groups showed an increase in knowledge at 1 and 3 months after their initial interview (P less than 0.005) but the active group had significantly better knowledge at 1 month (P less than 0.0001) and 3 months (P less than 0.001) compared to the control group. There was no change in morbidity in either group as assessed by hospital admissions, visits to a doctor, days off school and number of wheezing episodes. We have shown that knowledge can be improved by an educational program for parents of children with asthma but have not been able to demonstrate an effect on short-term morbidity.