Primary school teachers' knowledge of asthma in Umdoni subdistrict, KwaZulu-Natal.
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Date
2011
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Abstract
Introduction
On the 5th of December 2009, at the 40th Union World Conference on Lung Health in
Cancun, Mexico, the American Thoracic Society and the Forum of International
Respiratory Societies declared 2010 as the “Year of the Lung”. Asthma features
amongst the “big five” of the respiratory diseases worldwide. It is estimated that South
Africa has the 25th highest asthma prevalence in the world and the 5th highest case
fatality rate in the world. Asthma has been reported as one of the most serious
common chronic condition affecting young children. The South African media and
government reports states that one in eight children in South Africa has asthma.
Children spend a considerable amount of time at school. Teachers are often
recognised as in loco parentis at school. Therefore, it is imperative that primary
schoolteachers have some knowledge of asthma and its management to ensure that
asthmatic school children can be assisted.
Aim
The aim of this study was to elucidate asthma knowledge and management in primary
schools in Umdoni subdistrict.
Methods
A cross sectional study design was used. Two hundred and twenty six schoolteachers’
from 19 primary schools participated in this paperless survey. An asthma knowledge
questionnaire was developed by the researcher in consultation with a paediatric
asthma specialist and was fielded using the Mobile Researcher mobile application
channel, provided by Clyral. The survey was conducted using cellular telephones that
were used to capture teachers’ responses during face-to-face interviews with
fieldworkers. The completed surveys were uploaded using general packet radio service
(GPRS) to the web-based “Research Centre”. Data were exported to a Microsoft Excel
spreadsheet, cleaned and then imported into SPSS 15.10 for analysis.
Results
This study found that although the majority of primary schoolteachers (61.5%) had
above 50% correct answers in the asthma knowledge test, the vast majority (95.1%)
felt asthma education was necessary for schoolteachers. The results suggest that
although teachers have reasonable knowledge on certain areas regarding asthma,
however there is huge gap in their knowledge on the care of a child with an acute
exacerbation of asthma. The lack of medical or nursing personnel at these schools
means that the initial management of the child during an asthma attack will be in the
hands of school personnel. In light of this, it is important to note that 38.5% of
participants scored less than 50% on an asthma knowledge test, which denoted poor
or limited knowledge of asthma and its management. This study also showed that
teachers’ knowledge of asthma and sports was deficient and teachers do have
misconceptions about asthmatic children’s abilities. None of the schools had written
material to guide the management and care of asthmatic children. Such materials
would be necessary, especially in circumstances when prompt action is required in a
severe acute asthma attack.
Conclusion
The results conclude that primary schoolteachers’ knowledge in Umdoni subdistrict is
deficient especially in the knowledge of the care of a child with an acute exacerbation
of asthma. Teachers in Umdoni subdistrict are in contact with and exposed to
asthmatic schoolchildren on a regular basis. Teachers have to cope with asthmatic
children who have diverse needs. The importance of enhancing school based asthma
health promotion strategies is highlighted by the following recommendations: asthma
education training for school personnel, participation and support from Departments of
Health and Education and the development and implementation of sound asthma
policies in schools.
Description
Thesis (M.Med.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.
Keywords
Asthma in children., Asthmatics--Education--KwaZulu-Natal., Asthma in children--KwaZulu-Natal., Theses--Public health medicine.