Effectiveness of structured teaching program on knowledge of asthmatic School children towards control of bronchial asthma

Abstract

Background: India has an estimated 15-20 million asthmatics. Asthma attacks all age groups but often starts in childhood. In India, rough estimates indicate a prevalence of between 10% and 15% in 5-11 year old children

. Aim: The aim is to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching program on knowledge of school children towards control of bronchial asthma and to associate the relationship between demographic variables and knowledge of asthmatic children towards control of bronchial asthma.

Materials and methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted to assess the knowledge of asthmatic school children. Pre-test post-test design was adopted. A sample of 40 asthmatic children was selected by using purposive sampling technique. Children between the ages of 8-11 years diagnosed as asthmatics were selected as a study participant. Based on the knowledge of children a structured teaching programmed was developed and its effectiveness was determined by using the same pre-test questionnaire.

Results: The basic knowledge on bronchial asthma was insufficient. In pre-test majority 63% had inadequate knowledge on bronchial asthma; 30% had the moderately adequate knowledge and only 8% had adequate knowledge. Whereas in post-test 15% had inadequate knowledge; 45% had the moderately inadequate knowledge and 40% had adequate knowledge. The effectiveness of structured teaching program was determined by using paired t-test which is significant at P<0.001. In both pre-test and post-test, there was no significant association between level of knowledge and selected demographic variables.

Conclusion: The basic knowledge of asthmatic school children was insufficient. Structured teaching program enables the child to identify the symptoms early and to take prompt treatment thereby reducing the morbidity rate and frequent hospital visits.