ASTHMA KNOWLEDGE AND MANAGEMENT IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN SOUTH AUCKLAND

AIMS: to examine the management of asthma in primary schools and the school teachers' knowledge, confidence and attitude in managing the pupils with asthma. METHODS: forty-two primary schools in south Auckland were randomly selected to participate. Questionnaires were posted out to the principals and another questionnaire was given randomly to 253 teachers from these primary schools. RESULTS: 76% of the school principals surveyed returned the questionnaire; and 66% of the school teachers surveyed returned a separate questionnaire. The average incidence of asthma reported by school principals and school teachers was 9.9% and 12.6% respectively, which suggests underreporting of the diagnosis of asthma. In 81% of the schools a questionnaire was used to identify students with asthma when they first join the school. School teachers had good basic knowledge on asthma, however 33% of teachers did not know that Ventolin (salbutamol) is for symptomatic treatment and 58% and 65% of teachers did not know that Becotide (beclomethasone) and Intal (sodium cromoglycate) are prophylactic medications. CONCLUSIONS: we suggest that primary school teachers should receive further education on asthma, especially on practical aspects of asthma management.